http://www.cadoganhall.com/chaplin/index.htm
Cadogan Hall stages first ever showing of all 12 Chaplin 'Mutuals' with live
soundtracks composed and conducted by Carl Davis
CHARLIE CHAPLIN COMPLETE MUTUALS 1916-17
with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Carl Davis
Wednesday 15 - Saturday 18 August, 7.30pm
Cadogan Hall will present the first ever showing of all 12 of Charlie
Chaplin's newly restored Mutual films - made during Chaplin's 12-month
period with the Mutual Film Corporation - together with scores composed and
conducted by Carl Davis and performed live by the Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra.
"Cadogan Hall was equipped with state-of-the-art projection facilities when
it was refurbished," says artistic director Ian Maclay, "so we have a
wonderful opportunity to show these Chaplin gems on the Hall's big screen
with Carl's original music. Each film is a masterpiece in its own right but
to see the whole series of 12 is an opportunity not to be missed."
The 25-minute silent films from 1916-17, which include such classics as The
Immigrant, The Pawn Shop and The Adventurer, will be screened over four
consecutive evenings. BAFTA-winning composer Davis has scheduled the series
to ensure that each night offers the audience a taste of Chaplin's different
styles as they developed: from heavily plotted, through light comedy, and
finally to a mature merging of funny and serious, all of which is reflected
in the musical scores.
"Originally there would have been orchestras accompanying the films - they
were never actually silent - but the scores were not written down," says
Davis. "I've been involved with the restoration of Chaplin's own scores for
his feature films so I knew what style he would have used. He was constantly
in touch with musicians and the world of variety, so his music was a mixture
of music hall and quotes from the classics. My scores reflect that, and I
also use leitmotifs for recurring characters to unify the stories."
Davis, who now has 60 film scores in his repertoire, says his skills at
synchronising the music with the screen in live performances has been learnt
painfully over many years. "I'm not going to give away all my secrets, but
there are ways of synchronising, and of giving the audience the impression
that it's synchronised."
Well-known Charlie Chaplin aficionados Paul Ross (journalist, TV and radio
presenter), Richard Briers (actor, The Good Life and Monarch of the Glen)
and David Robinson (Chaplin's biographer) will introduce each evening, and
Charlie Chaplin's son Michael Chaplin will address the audience on the final
night, when Davis will also answer questions.
"I am really looking forward to conducting these concerts at such a stunning
venue," adds Davis. "Performing them live with the large screen and a real
orchestra adds a tremendous new dimension to the experience."
Notes for editors
Charlie Chaplin became the highest paid entertainer in the world in 1916
when he signed a contract with Mutual for a salary of $670,000. Mutual built
him his own studio and allowed him total creative freedom to make the films
and Chaplin subsequently recognised this period of film-making as the most
inventive and liberating of his career.
Programme
Wednesday 15 August, 7.30pm
Easy Street, One A.M, The Immigrant (introduced by Paul Ross)
Thursday 16 August, 7.30pm
Behind the Screen, The Fireman, The Rink (introduced by Richard Briers)
Friday 17 August, 7.30pm
The Pawn Shop, The Vagabond, The Cure (introduced by David Robinson)
Saturday 18 August, 7.30pm
The Count, The Floor Walker, The Adventurer (introduced by Michael Chaplin)
Booking information
Tickets: £35, £28, £22, £18, £12
A half price child's seat with each full price adult ticket.
Tickets for all 4 nights: £100 best available seat.
Box Office: 020 7730 4500
Book online:
www.cadoganhall.com
About Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall is an elegant and beautifully appointed concert venue in London's
Chelsea that has a capacity of 900. The Hall, which has seating on three
sides of the stage, offers a rare intimacy, and its clear, crisp acoustic is
ideal both for ensembles and full orchestra.
The building was originally completed in 1907 as the First Church of Christ,
Scientist, and was purchased by the Cadogan Estate in 2000. A history of the
church written in 1931 expressed the aspiration that the building would be
"able to respond to the call of progress": it has been Cadogan Estate's
mission to fulfill this wish and ensure that the Hall plays a major part in
the cultural life of London for the next 100 years.
Cadogan Hall opened as a concert hall in 2004 and its diverse programme
spans classical, jazz, world and contemporary music. The Hall is home to the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brodsky Quartet as well as to BBC Proms
chamber concerts. In 2007-08 it will launch its first ever International
Concert Series.
For a copy of the latest season brochure please call 020 7730 4500.
For press enquiries please contact:
Kate Whyman PR
01273 648374
kate@katewhymanpr(dot)co(dot)uk
--
Bruce Calvert
--
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