Coojeebear and the Monster

'Coojeebear and the Monster' is a 55-minute story for young people performed by a narrator and symphony orchestra. There are seven songs in the score (sung by the narrator as various characters), and during the performance the story is illustrated by a sequence of over 500 pictures which are projected onto a large screen suspended over the orchestra. It has been performed many times by major professional orchestras in various parts of the world, as well as by several different youth orchestras.

A commercial recording was made by the Queensland Youth Orchestra with Rolf Harris narrating and you can find out more here.

Rolf also did all the artwork for the illustrations. An illustrated book of the story was published in 1990 by Hodder & Stoughton.

An animated film of Coojeebear and the Monster including extra songs, was planned and in production, but, alas, the plug was pulled.

You can look at and listen to all the songs in isolation (including those from the projected film) by clicking here.

Would you like to hear the story?

Listen to radio promos for the 1982 concert at the Barbican.

Round Midnight 1 hosted by Brian Matthews
Round Midnight 2 hosted by Brian Matthews
Start the Week hosted by Richard baker