In the wake of the 2011’s awards-show darling The Artist, the mode of silent cinema has received a bit of an awareness boost of late.
The Silent Movie Experience at the Komedia Studio provided another cinematic education, this time one that’s perfect for the kids.
David Watts’ 1920s-style show featured two cinema classics of the early 20th century.
The first was Chaplin’s 1916 Behind The Screen, which was brimming from beginning to end with clever mime and slapstick cheerfulness.
The second was Harold Lloyd’s Get Out And Get Under, released in 1920.
This is a film that can boast stunt driving in a rickety Model T that’s far more breathtaking than any of today’s CGI monstrosities.
Accompanying the two films was an original score, written and performed by Watts on the keyboard.
Not to mention the endless supply of sound effects. The well-timed honk of a kick to the rump, or the iconic whizz of the custard pie in flight continued to earn plenty of laughs.
Crowd participation was running on overload throughout the 70-minute show. There was a slapstick encounter with several custard pies and a chance for young audience members to play director with the clapperboard.
The crowd was always quick to join in with a conspiratorial boo and hiss, or a compassionate aww – interaction reminiscent of an older style of movie-going.
Whether the show was targeted at children or not, they certainly dominated the intimate crowd at this particular Sunday session.
And what’s more, they all adored it.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here