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Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures

with the BBC Symphony Orchestra

An illustration by Quentin Blake, depicting characters Jack and Nancy floating through a forest scene, using a red umbrella as a parachute.

Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures bursts open, as the BBC Symphony Orchestra plays a live accompaniment to two wonderful animated adventures. 

Young Jack and his sister Nancy dream of adventure – but they didn’t expect desert islands, talking parrots and exploding volcanoes. Mrs Armitage is taking a quiet bike ride with her dog Breakspear – but when you’re a brilliant inventor, things rarely stay quiet for long. Everyone knows that Quentin Blake spins a fabulous tale, but with Stefano Cabrera’s delightful music they’ve never looked (or sounded) quite as fabulous as this.

Today, you can enjoy their animated exploits alongside live music from the full BBC Symphony Orchestra. Imagine the whole glorious, multicoloured world of Quentin Blake springing to life while 80 amazing musicians follow Jack, Nancy and Mrs Armitage every step of the way. These two films are part of CBBC’s Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures – and now you get to dive right in! 

Watch the series on BBC iPlayer.

This performance will finish at approximately 4.15pm, with no interval.

Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures was commissioned by BBC Children’s and Education and produced by Eagle Eye Drama in a co-production with Creative Conspiracy and in association with animation studios Spicy Acorn, Tchack and Kong Studio. The series is directed by Gerrit Bekers working to Eagle Eye’s creative director for animation Massimo Fenati with an original score composed by Stefano Cabrera.

The live performances are produced by esk in association with Eagle Eye Drama, the Barbican and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Members enjoy 20% off tickets.

No booking fees.

Become a member

Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices for this performance.

2 tickets max per booking. Subject to availability.

Become a Corporate Member

£5

Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free.

Subject to availability.

£5

Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online. 

Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.

Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected. 

Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket. 

Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats: Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.

20% discount for groups of 10+. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.

Subject to availability.

*Excludes £4 booking fee

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