experience CINEMA AS IT USED TO BE!

SILENT FILM NIGHT

'piccadilly' (1929)

with LIVE MUSIC by

the BRIEF ENCOUNTER DUO

18th NOVEMBER 2023

Enjoy the magic of cinema as it used to be with a special screening of the classic 1929 silent movie 'Piccadilly' complete with an authentic, live musical accompaniment by The Brief Encounter Duo (Veronica & Chris Perrin). 'Piccadilly' was “the last great British silent movie”. Released in 1929, it’s a story of jealousy seething with sexual tension, combined with a murder mystery. The film also contains themes of social injustice that are as relevant today, as when it was first screened, almost a century ago! (Photo above by Liam McGarry on Unsplash)

The screenplay, written by the popular British author Arnold Bennett, contrasts the lives of wealthy socialites at a central London nightclub with the plight of the staff working below stairs. The screen goddess Anna May Wong stars as a young Chinese woman working in the kitchen. Suddenly, she is given a chance to become the nightclub’s main dance act. This, proves the catalyst for betrayal, forbidden love and murder. The film established Anna May Song as a major artist, who used her fame and language skills to bring about change and understanding on the world stage. Today, she is recognized for her achievements in the UK, Europe, USA & China. (Photo below: Public Domain)

Don’t miss this culturally-thrilling event coming to Helpston on the evening of 18th November. ‘Piccadilly’ was acclaimed for its innovative camera work and lighting, as well as its sexual. Today, the film is supplied for public viewing under licence from the British Film Institute. Musicians Veronica and Chris Perrin (The Brief Encounter Duo) perform a live authentic soundtrack, drawing on music from the 1920s. A review of their recent screening of ‘Piccadilly’ at the Ludlow Fringe Festival is glowing: “An exquisite evening’s entertainment. The 1929 film Piccadilly is itself a masterpiece of cinema… Watched with the score, devised by Veronica and Chris, makes this an extraordinary experience… Beautiful music played on a variety of ten different instruments by two very accomplished musicians. Do go and see this show!”

'Piccadilly' is credited as “the last great British silent movie” - to put this into some sort of historical context, the first Hollywood ‘talking picture’ had been released two years earlier, in 1927. As Europe was still struggling with the lasting impact of the First World War in 1929, silent movies remained the norm on this side of the Atlantic when 'Piccadilly' was released. (Photo above by Ahpmet Yalcinkaya on Unsplash)

It was actually the advent of ‘talkies’ that cemented America’s position as the global centre of movie making from then onwards. Incidentally, 2023 marks 100 years since the Hollywood Sign first went up – originally, it spelling out the word 'Hollywoodland', rather than just plain ‘Hollywood’. It was erected to promote a new housing development and was only supposed to be up for a year. Since then, it’s become one of the best-known landmarks in the world, closely associated America's film and television industry. By the way, the first British ‘talkie’ was directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1929 and the unique success of it opened up Hollywood doors for him. The rest, as they say, is history!

Tickets available via this link to Eventbrite

18th November - Doors open 6.30pm. Screening starts 7pm.

£10 in advance (plus Eventbrite fees). £12 on the door.

Includes Refreshments & Programme.