NOT SO SILENT MOVIE

Sometimes, the germ of an idea just takes off and grows into something truly magical.

When Revd Richard Neil suggested to us last year that he’d like to have a silent movie at St Mary’s, accompanied by live organ music, it set off an chain of events.

We reached out to James Harrison of South West Silents and he expertly guided us through the legalities and technicalities of putting on such an event. He gave us suggestions and advice and we ultimately settled on Nosferatu, knowing that the timing would fit with the 2024 re-make. Thankfully Richard Neil gave his approval for the splendour of the church to become the backdrop to this cinematic masterpiece.

And then of course, there’s Liam Davies, our local Church Organist who’s unlike any church Organist you’ve ever seen… who’s completely self-taught. He took this opportunity and seized it with both hands. And Saturday night, all of these strings came together for one magnificent triumph.

The music Liam composed and played throughout the film was nothing short of incredible. The perfect symmetry between his music and each and every frame of the film was genius. Whether it was building suspense; mimicking the scurrying rats or the eerie arrival of the ghost carriage with its masked horses. It was just perfect.

The atmospheric lighting in the church created the mood, and at moments in the film where the scenes perfectly aligned with the gothic architecture of the church, it drew gasps.

And you showed up. You dressed up. You embraced it. And I think it’s fair to say you loved it.

It’s always a little nerve-wracking when you try something so different, but boy was it worth it. We owe such thanks to Richard for the inspiration and the permission, to James for generously sharing his knowledge and time from his busy schedule on the night, and most of all to Liam for recreating the ambiance of movie halls of old so perfectly.

So, shall we do it again?? Any suggestions for what next?