Dragons, Drama, and a Full Orchestra: A Night at Bridgewater Hall

This week, I had the pleasure of revisiting How to Train Your Dragon—but not in the way you might expect. This wasn't just a casual rewatch on the sofa; instead, I experienced the animated classic in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, complete with a live orchestra performing the score in perfect harmony with the film.

It’s been quite a while since I last saw How to Train Your Dragon—most likely during a DVD night at home with my son, who, at nearly 18 now, has moved on to different tastes in film. Back then, it was just another fun family movie. This time, it became something entirely new.

Watching the film unfold on the big screen with the full power of an orchestra behind it was genuinely magical. The acoustics at Bridgewater Hall were superb, truly elevating the score. That said, I did find the placement of the stage speakers occasionally overpowered the actors’ dialogue, making it hard to catch some lines. Still, being familiar with the story, nothing vital was lost, and the music more than made up for it.

As for the score itself—while it's stirring and suits the film beautifully, it doesn’t quite leave a lasting imprint like, say, a John Williams composition. In fact, one of our friends who joined us mentioned that experiencing something like Star Wars in this format, with Williams' unforgettable music, would be a next-level experience. And I have to agree.

All in all, this orchestral screening of How to Train Your Dragon was a truly special way to re-engage with a beloved film. If you ever get the chance to attend a similar event—whether it’s dragons or droids—take it. There’s nothing quite like the magic of cinema brought to life by live music.

Written by Soames Inscker (Golden Age Flicks)