VIDEO - Silent film classics come alive with the help of a York pianist

If special effects in movies saturate your senses maybe you are ready for a return to an era where things were a bit more simple.

One musician in York says:

"In 2019 technology has taken over, couples sit opposite one another in restaurants tapping to people they haven’t seen for 30 years on mobile phones.

Tweets and status updates replaced talking face to face.

We used to all be ‘talkies’ but have now reverted back to communicating in silence"

VIDEO - Perhaps its time to revisit a land where apples and blackberries were filling for a pie.

Kieran White, a renowned pianist from York, has created the time machine to take you back to this simpler time by touring his gag driven re-working of Buster Keaton’s “The General”  & “Steamboat Bill Jr”- no Tardis required.

He shines his new light through old windows to create an event engaging to film buffs, historians and musicians alike.

His score is far from a predictable collage of Joplin rags- it is crammed with more comedy references than the Airplane films with lightning fast references to Coronation Street, Wagner & even the teddy bears’ picnic.

The nanosecond by nanosecond musical mapping of events on screen add the third dimension with no glasses required.

Its relentless pace -a challenge for any pianist’s digits.

There are no gaps , no rests, no breaths. Just red hot black & white keys adding infinite colour to black & white pictures.

“The joy of these films is the raw energy.

You know that if the stunts went wrong then would be no take two ! ”

He says.

Kieran’s labour of love to “Break the Silents” and bring them back to life has been met with open arms.

Having sold out several nights previously Kieran’s re-creation of a 1920’s picture house has given audiences a step back in time to when Sky was the blue thing above the sea and the Net was a catching device for fish.  

So as the usher takes your ticket, guides you to your seat with a torch sit comfortably and remember…”PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR MOBILE PHONES!”

See Kieran in action on 14th September at Joseph Rowntree Theatre at 2:30pm (The General)  and 7:30 (Steamboat Bill Jr)

And look what Mark Herman, director of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Brassed Off said:

"Kieran White's score, and his live accompaniment, raises an already almost perfect film to fresh heights. 

Even if you've seen 'The General' a hundred times, this is an entirely new experience.

There are emotions and laughs that you may not have spotted before - Kieran presses buttons that may not have been previously pressed.

It's a shame that Buster Keaton never knew that his flawless performance could actually be enhanced.

You can watch 'The General' online for free, you can maybe see it in cinemas occasionally but whatever you do, don't pass on the opportunity to see it like this"

We asked Kieran White a few questions

Q Why did you choose piano?

I was very inspired by my grandfather. He was a superb pianist and made the most complex music sound effortless. Also, ever since a very early age, I’ve been fascinated by puzzles (particularly Chess) Watching Pop play was like sitting inside a gigantic engine – seeing gears mesh, listening to the sound of tiny hammers. Music chose me!

Q Why would someone want to go to see Buster Keaton movies in 2019?

We live in an instant world. A world governed by consumerism & technology. What we want we can get just by clicking a mouse. We have forgotten how to slow down. How to breathe. Buster takes us back to a time when time itself was a different thing entirely. A time when moments were savoured rather than squandered.

Q? How long did it take to write your scores?

The General? Eleven days. Steamboat – a little longer (wry grin)

Q Who do you think will make up the audience?

Largely middle age and older, but it appeals to anyone with a love of history, a nostalgia for days of yore and an unfettered imagination

Q Why did you choose the Joseph Rowntree Theatre?

 It is such a unique warm intimate theatre that has such history & has a special atmosphere created by its army of volunteers. I feel the ushers in immaculate attire who adore the theatre will help recreate the 1920s feel.

Q What do you hope the audience will get from these productions?

 A wonderful day out for all the family. A lot of belly laughs. An appreciation of Buster’s incredible athleticism and craftmanship but most of all a reawakening of that state of wonderment that children have but never know they have. 

Q What are your hopes for the future for BREAKING THE SILENTS?

 I think what I do is unique. Ultimately, I’d love to perform all over the world.. 

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