This evening was something just that little bit special and out of the ordinary. What better way is there to watch one of the silent film era's classics, than having it accompanied by a live chamber orchestra playing the score that was written specially for that film by the film's writer, director and star...?! I obviously mean the great Charles Spencer Chaplin, or Charlie to his friends!
Watching a recently lovingly restored version of this wonderfully dramatic and emotive 1921 film, which includes some superb acting from a very young boy 'the kid' (Jackie Coogan) throughout; you realise just how immensley talented Chaplin was. We all know and love him as 'The Tramp', but in this film, he shows more than his signature comedy side, proving to be a great tragedian too. And not just that, but to have written, produced, and directed the film as well as edited it, his talents knew no bounds. It was only after the film's release that Chaplin decided he would also write his own score for it, and this evening, a special arrangement of that score was played by 16 members of the Manchester Camerata under the conducting of Ben Palmer.
The score was wonderful. Full of lyric passages, highly dramatic motifs, and comedy-esque melodies, which all fitted the film like a glove. Chaplin was pure genius, and knew how to pull at an audience's heart strings and when to make them laugh heartily, both as an actor and as a composer. It is is all credit to the Manchester Camerata that they too lovingly recreated the score without trying to modernise or change anything, but instead wallowed in the pure magic of a bygone era.
The auditoirum was full this evening, bringing people together from all areas of interest; silent films, Charlie Chaplin, live music, classical orchestral music, but be assured that whatever your interest, even if it is simple curiosity, this is an experience that only happens once every blue moon, and is absolutely not to be missed!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 16.6.22
on - 16.6.22
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