An image with text that says, "Peter and the Wolf" and a graphic illustration of a young boy named Peter. This image is to promote the new Peter and the Wolf project by Gavin Friday and Bono, in support of Irish Hospice Foundation.

The Story So Far

In 2003, Bono and Gavin Friday originally created Peter & the Wolf, a book based on Sergei Prokofiev’s 1936 symphony, in support of Irish Hospice Foundation. Both artists have continued their relationship with IHF, and twenty years later, the story of Peter has been transformed into a short animated film, along with a new book, music, and merchandise.

Musician and composer Gavin Friday led the creation of this reimagined Peter & the Wolf. He narrated the animated film and, with Maurice Seezer, adapted Prokofiev’s original score, performed by The Friday Seezer Ensemble.

Peter & the Wolf follows a grieving 12-year-old Peter, who is now in the care of his grandfather, who himself is adjusting to life after the death of his daughter. The character of Peter is loosely based on Bono’s younger years during the Dublin punk scene in the 1970s. When we meet Peter, he’s an angsty adolescent, but over the course of the story, a sensitive side emerges along with his resourcefulness and determination to uncover a thoughtful and very human side of himself. Each character in this telling of Peter & the Wolf represents different aspects of Peter, with the wolf embodying his relationship with grief and the unknown, his grandfather representing his connection to family and the forest creatures who capture the comedy, naivete and carefree elements of childhood. 

Gavin Friday said: “The messaging of vigilance, bravery and resilience that were core to the original symphony are still echoed throughout our interpretation, but we spin a traditional fairy tale into a unique adaptation that also incorporates the topic of loss, redemption, and recovery. It’s my hope that this Peter and The Wolf becomes a balm for any child dealing with loss, alongside exposing and captivating them into the wonderful and musical world of Prokofiev.”

The story is for children and adults alike, and we know it will help others to recognise their feelings of grief and how we can support each other. IHF is thrilled to see this project come back to life in such a real way, and to have the support of Gavin, Bono, and our partners who have made this project possible: BMG, Blink Industries, DK, and Eason.

Explore "Peter & the Wolf"

Merchandise

Visit our online shop for “Peter & the Wolf” merchandise, including the book, CDs, records, and more.

Official Trailer

The trailer of the animated film, streaming on HBO Max in the US and Canada from October 19, 2023. Stay tuned for release dates for Ireland and the UK.

There's Nothing to Be Afraid Of (Official Lyric Video)

“There’s nothing to be afraid of”, the new single by Gavin Friday, is out on all streaming platforms.

Latest News

Keep up to date on the “Peter & the Wolf” project. Check out the latest news on the book, animated short film, and merchandise.

"Peter & the Wolf" Archives

Curious to learn how Peter & the Wolf began in 2003? Dive into Irish Hospice Foundation archives for documents and photographs on the original project.

Bereavement Supports

Are you bereaved or supporting someone who is bereaved? Visit our Bereavement & Loss Hub for information and resources on loss, grief, and bereavement care.

About the Author

A headshot of Gavin Friday, the creator, author, and narrator of the 2023 retelling of "Peter and the Wolf."

Gavin Friday (born in Dublin in 1959) is an Irish singer, songwriter, composer, actor, artist, and author. Among many other creative projects, Gavin, along with his musical collaborator Maurice Seezer, created the first Irish adaption of Sergei Prokofiev’s classic Peter & the Wolf, in the early 2000s. A CD box set was created, accompanied by a 64-page cloth-bound book illustrated by U2’s Bono and his daughters Jordan and Eve. The book was officially launched on October 1, 2003. Twenty years later, Gavin reimagined Peter & the Wolf, leading the creation of the new book and animated film, both launching in 2023.