Rare screening of silent film

A RARE screening of one of the most extraordinary silent movies to come out of 1920s Hollywood will be brought to life with a musical twist.The showing of Salom� at The Cut in Halesworth will be accompanied by four percussionists performing from two giant towers placed on either side of the screen a new score composed for the film by Charlie Barber.

A RARE screening of one of the most extraordinary silent movies to come out of 1920s Hollywood will be brought to life with a musical twist.

The showing of Salom� at The Cut in Halesworth will be accompanied by four percussionists performing from two giant towers placed on either side of the screen a new score composed for the film by Charlie Barber.

Adapted from the controversial play of the same name by Oscar Wilde and costing a staggering $350,000 to make, Salom� was produced by and starred the flamboyant Russian actress Alla Nazimova, one of the most famous stars of her day. Her aim was to create a bold and experimental work that would raise the artistic level of American films.

Before the film was even completed it was embroiled in scandal as rumours took hold that Nazimova had insisted on an all gay and bi-sexual cast in honour of Oscar Wilde. The film flopped, but Salom� has increasingly been acknowledged as ahead of its time, in many ways, one of the first arthouse films

Mr Barber said: “It's a complete one off, an incredible visual feast. I felt it needed a particularly dramatic score to do it justice and nothing is more vibrant or exhilarating than the sound of percussion. I think there is a real sense of theatre in watching percussionists play so thought I'd heighten this by placing the players on the towers. I hope it will add an extra dimension to the evening for audiences to enjoy.”

Presented by Sound Affairs, Salome is showing at The Cut on Friday, November 13 at 8pm.

Tickets for Salom� are available from the The Cut, Halesworth. Call the box office on 0845 673 2123 or visit www.newcut.org