Jim Henson's Labyrinth returns in a live-to-film format where a full orchestra plays Trevor Jones and David Bowie's music while the movie fills the screen.

A tribute built for the big screen

The big context here is that it functions as a tribute, with Bowie's vocals preserved from the film mix and the ensemble delivering the score and band parts. Expect a bright blend of fairy-tale orchestration, analog synth colors, and tight 80s grooves that make the goblin world feel close.

Songs that usually get a cheer

Spotlight cues will likely feature Underground, Magic Dance, As the World Falls Down, and Within You, each treated so the on-screen rhythm lines lock with the pit. You will see a mixed crowd of long-time fans, movie lovers, and kids in masquerade masks, with a calm, listening-first vibe between cheers. A neat tidbit: the baby coos on Magic Dance were voiced by Bowie himself, and the original Hoggle puppet was famously lost and later displayed at an Alabama museum. Please read these set and production expectations as informed observations from past film-with-orchestra runs rather than a promise for your night.

The Masquerade Lives: Fans of Jim Henson's Labyrinth: In Concert

The scene around the show feels welcoming and a bit theatrical, with glittered eye makeup, satin ribbons, and the odd crystal sphere tucked into a pocket.

Dress-up without the fuss

You will spot tailored jackets that nod to the Goblin King, flowing dresses for the ballroom vibe, and comfortable sweaters from folks who first saw Labyrinth decades ago.

Quiet respect, loud gratitude

A playful call-and-response often breaks out when Magic Dance hits, with the crowd softly trading the 'You remind me of the babe' lines before settling back into listening. Merch leans tasteful: foil posters, a screen print of the Escher stairs, enamel pins, and sometimes a reissue of the Original Soundtrack on vinyl. Applause usually follows big cues and end credits rather than during dialogue, which keeps the movie legible for first-timers. After the bows, conversation turns to favorite creatures and effects shots, and you will hear people trading memories of their first watch on VHS or cable.

How Jim Henson's Labyrinth: In Concert Breathes Onstage

The core sound rests on tight coordination between strings and a rhythm team that can mimic the album's punch while blending with woodwinds and brass.

Playing to picture, not over it

Live players often follow a click and on-screen streamers so that harp glissandos, synth stabs, and snare hits land exactly with the picture. Expect warm low strings doubling synth bass to keep cues fat without muddying dialogue, and flutes or recorder adding the storybook sparkle.

Small tweaks, big feel

Ballads like As the World Falls Down usually breathe a hair slower in the hall, letting vocals from the film hover while the orchestra shapes soft cushions underneath. Up-tempo cues can get a gentle rearrange, with brass reinforcing the backbeat so Magic Dance pops without overpowering the screen. Lighting tends toward soft cobalt and amethyst washes that frame the players but keep eyes on the movie, leaving the music to carry mood shifts. It is music-first throughout, with the conductor cueing clear swells and tight cutoffs so textures stay clear and the groove remains steady.

Kindred Spirits Around Jim Henson's Labyrinth: In Concert

Fans of Peter Gabriel will recognize the art-pop craft, visual flair, and storytelling impulse that also powers Labyrinth.

If this, then that

Duran Duran bring glossy synth hooks and rich bass lines that echo the film's pop moments without losing warmth.

Across pop and screen worlds

If your taste leans darker and romantic, The Cure scratch that elegant mood that fits the ballroom sequence's dream logic. For fans who love hearing movies come alive, Danny Elfman in concert offers similarly playful orchestration and big melodic themes. All four acts draw cross-generational crowds, so the overlap is as much about tone and stage craft as it is about era.