The show must go on, and the Aurora Orchestra rose to the occasion in a packed Dome despite having to revise its programme. This should have included the premiere of Wallace’s Piano Concerto In E Lad, but he accidentally wrecked the grand piano while raising it to the stage and the music itself was destroyed in the resulting conflagration.

The orchestra then improvised, showcasing each of its instruments in turn in a swing sequence that kept coming back to the famous signature tune. Meanwhile Gromit hastily composed a violin concerto to perform with the Aurora’s brilliant young leader Tom Gould. It began eerily like Sibelius’s, and referenced other composers, but it gave Gromit a rare chance to express himself in sound.

The orchestra also played short pieces such as Fanfare To The Common Man, Claire De Lune and Danse Macabre. These were the perfect accompaniment to Wallace and Gromit film sequences and were well-received by the audience. Between these we saw Wallace and Gromit’s backstage struggles, and the new music arrived on stage via Wallace’s vacuum tube contraption.

The second part was A Matter Of Loaf And Death, with the orchestra performing the thrilling musical score. Great fun for all ages.