Colchester Arts Centre is following up last year’s outreach theatre project with a free performance of Peter and the Wolf.

In conjunction with the organisers of this year’s Roman River Music Festival, a performance of Prokofiev’s children’s story, spoken by a narrator and accompanied by instruments will take place at Greenstead Community Centre next month.

Last year, arts centre director Anthony Roberts organised a programme of children’s theatre at the centre and rather than making it free, he gave children £1 for coming along.

Anthony says: “We wanted to introduce the arts centre to new people and we wanted to give youngsters, who have maybe never been taken to the theatre before, the chance to have that experience.

“Rather than just make it a one-off, we wanted to build on that success.”

The performance of Peter and the Wolf already forms part of the Roman River Music Festival, taking place as a family concert at Abberton and Langenhoe Hall, in Edward Marke Drive, Abberton, on October 9, at 4pm.

It will feature the Roman River Wind Quintet, violinist Daisy Jopling, and the Sixth Form College’s head of music, Nigel Hildreth, as narrator.

After joining up with Colchester Arts Centre, the same team will also be putting on a free concert at Greenstead Community Centre, in Hawthorne Avenue, Greenstead earlier in the day at 11am.

Nigel adds: “We wanted to hit two different markets and take the music into the community.

“Peter and the Wolf is one of my favourites. We’re also doing the Ugly Duckling as a little extra treat, so I think audiences in both venues will have a really super time.”

To book a place at the Greenstead concert call the com munity centre on 01206 791979.

Tickets for the Abberton concert are £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, available by calling 01206 729356.

l For a fullrun down of this year’s Roman River Music Festival see Gazette Weekend this Friday.