Date: 1 December 2007
Location: Colston Hall, Bristol
Time: 19:30

Goldfrapp’s Will Gregory premieres of his new score to the silent classic 'He Who Gets Slapped'.

For two special performances only, Goldfrapp’s Will Gregory teams up with some of the UK’s most inspired contemporary musicians including Portishead’s Adrian Utley, jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard, drummer Tony Orrell and the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Charles Hazelwood to premiere his newly composed score to the little known silent film classic He Who Gets Slapped (Dir: Victor Sjöström, 1924) starring Lon Chaney and Norma Shearer.

Gregory’s exhilarating new composition performed live by some of the finest musical talent will provide a unique new way to experience Chaney's powerful performance on the big screen; a full orchestration with guest appearances from live electronics and direct-to-screen improvisation, a must-see for both film goers and lovers of live music.

Before he became widely known for Goldfrapp, Will Gregory teamed up with Tony Orrell (aka Birdman of Alkijazz) to form the experimental duo Gas Giants. Together, they were frequently commissioned to create and perform live soundtracks to silent films. “One of these”, Will says, “was He Who Gets Slapped - a 90 minute vehicle for Lon Chaney. It soon became clear that this was something we had always hoped to find, namely an overlooked masterpiece.”

He Who gets Slapped was the first feature made by MGM; a Hollywood take on a Russian play made by the legendary Swedish actor/director Victor Sjöström and starring one of silent cinema’s greatest stars, Lon Chaney (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Phantom of the Opera) who regarded this role - of "He", the clown who receives 200 slaps a day - as his best.

Will Gregory says:
“I think this ranks as one of the great cinematic performances in the history of film. Chaney himself regarded it as his greatest role and whenever he is on screen he exudes such presence and charisma that it is easy to understand why he was the most celebrated screen actor of his day.”

Andrew Connolly, General Manager, BBC Concert Orchestra says:
“When our Principal Guest Conductor Charles Hazlewood suggested bringing together Goldfrapp member & composer Will Gregory, the BBC Concert Orchestra, jazz musicians and a 1924 silent movie - I instantly agreed. Hearing Will's freshly minted score performed by the full orchestra and soloists in synch with the 83 year old film will be an extraordinary audio-visual event - and not to be missed.”

He Who Gets Slapped will be screened to the live accompaniment of an original score by Will Gregory on 1 December at the Colston Hall in Bristol and on 3 December at the QEH on London’s South Bank.

Colston Hall, Colston Street, Bristol
Box Office: 0117 922 3686
>Colston Hall website

Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Box Office: 08703 800 400
>Queen Elizabeth Hall website

Presented in partnership with BBC Concert Orchestra, Colston Hall and Watershed.
With thanks to Bristol Silents. Print supplied c/o Warner Brothers with thanks to Hollywood Classics.

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