By Jeremy Fitzsimons
In response to the renewed appetite for live entertainment following Covid restrictions, and originally performed outdoors, this silent movie project has since moved into theatres, reviving the magic of 1920s picture houses – where silent films were brought to life with live musical accompaniment.
Carrying on this tradition, pianist David Selfe (The Old Dairy Factory – Norsewood) and percussionist Jeremy Fitzsimons (Thames) create a unique soundtrack for each performance. Selfe composes original scores, which Fitzsimons arranges and colours with an imaginative array of percussion, sound effects, and even the eerie tones of a musical saw. The result is a vibrant soundscape that enhances both the pathos and the comedy of Charlie Chaplin’s timeless films.
“It’s exciting to play,” says Fitzsimons. “Every performance is different. I need to keep one eye on the screen, one eye on the music, and one eye on the pianist. As well as playing the melodies, I’m acting as a foley artist, adding sound effects as things happen on screen.” Silent Movies Live has steadily built a repertoire of Chaplin classics, and audiences delight in the mix of nostalgia and discovery. The humour remains as sharp and charming as ever, and with live accompaniment, the films feel startlingly fresh.
Now, Thames audiences can experience the magic for themselves. As part of a four-week national tour, Silent Movies Live presents A Dog’s Life (1918) and The Kid (1922).
Monday 22 September, 7:00 pm
St George’s Church, Thames
Tickets $20 or TMG members $15 (cash only) from Carson’s Bookshop or at the door.
PHOTO CREDITS: top: Jeremy Fitzsimons and David Selfe, Silent movies Live
