Game of Thrones meets The Snowman

Famously known for portraying Podrick Payne in the hit HBO fantasy drama series, Portman makes his RSNO debut telling the classic festive tale.

Portman, whose other credits include the movies Outcast and The Angel’s Share as well as appearances in the BBC Scotland soap River City, says, “Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman is a big part of Christmas. It wouldn’t be the same without the classic animation and Howard Blake’s moving score.

“I’m very much looking forward to my RSNO debut. Narrating the story with the film and full symphonic support is going to be a highlight of my festive season.”

Games of Thrones' star Daniel Portman narrates The Snowman

The Snowman, now as much a part of Christmas as tinsel and trees, was first published as a children’s picture book in 1978.

Four years later it was adapted into a 26 minute animation for Channel 4, and quickly became an iconic part of the season.

Likewise the RSNO Christmas Concert is now firmly embedded as one of Scotland’s traditional seasonal events.

Led by conductor Christopher Bell, the Orchestra will perform Howard Blake’s iconic sound track synchronised with the screening of the animated film, with vocal soloists for the famous ballad Walking in the Air drawn from the RSNO Junior Chorus. The concerts also feature well-known festive musical favourites, audience participation, the RSNO Chorus or Junior Chorus, and a few surprises.

The full programme of music for Sunday’s RSNO Christmas Concert, which starts at 3pm, finds seasonal favourites The Holly and the Ivy and Fantasy on Christmas Carols setting the mood, followed by The Snowman.

A piece specially commissioned by the RSNO from Matthew Curtis called Christmas Spirit is next, after which it’s a case of jingle all the way with a selection of well-loved sing-a-long favourites such as Jingle Bells, Christmas Carol Fantasy, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Little Bolero Boy from Classical Christmas Suite, Dream Song, Deck the Halls, Sleigh Ride, as well as A Young Austrian Went Yodelling and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

RSNO Christmas Concert, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Sunday, 3pm, £17-£35, 0131-228-1155