Armidale residents, if you were looking for the perfect Halloween treat here it is – FW Murnau’s iconic horror masterpiece, Nosferatu, will screen at the Armidale Playhouse on October 22. This time accompanied by a new original score played live by composer and multi-instrumentalist Edwin Montgomery.
Edwin Montgomery, the musical virtuoso at the heart of the production, said, “Nosferatu is perfect for this kind of production, the imagery already has such an eerie unsettling tone which produces such a unique atmosphere.”
“I spent one week working in an artist’s residency in my home town of Newcastle – just watching the film over and over and improvising pieces of music and then reworking them to suit.”
Montgomery will accompany the film with loop pedals, synths, violin, guitar, theremin, mandolin, voice and percussion to produce a newly imagined soundscape for the iconic silent film.
Montgomery, who has extensive experience composing and producing soundtracks for film, TV and video games said, “There’s something really special about live performances.”
“I don’t get the chance to do them very often and they come with a special kind of intensity that you cannot replicate – the reactions of the audience add a really exciting element to the performance.”
For those unfamiliar with Nosferatu, the film was produced in 1922 and is still widely considered to be not only the first, but one of the best vampire films ever produced.
Despite being filmed in black and white, and being a silent film, it still seems to captivate audiences world-wide.
When asked why they think this film still has a firm grip on audiences, despite film having come so far, Montgomery said, “I think it’s got a lot to do with the imagery – a lot of these early classic, silent horror films had a really specific imagery and atmosphere to them that still feels quite contemporary.”
“On a personal level I still find something nostalgic and fascinating in movies like Nosferatu. The choice we have available to us now with streaming services can be overwhelming but there’s something about old films – it’s not only refreshing that they have survived the test of time but they really are genuine artefacts.”
“Nosferatu was a film set in the 19th century that was filmed in the 20th century so to see the buildings and sets and the techniques used, this is a document of history.”
Nosferatu has recently been remade, with the new version being released to cinemas later this year.
The story will remain much the same, but the film will be reimagined with modern film techniques, and a Hollywood cast including actors such as Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe and Lily-Rose Depp.
So just how does a lover of the old film like Montgomery, feel about a modern reimagining?
“The subject matter is so mythological. Nosferatu drew from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the myth continued,” said Montgomery.
“I think that this new version will do the same. It’s drawing people to the original source material and reinforcing its popularity.”
“And for me undertaking my production at the moment, it’s a happy coincidence that may have reignited people’s interest in the opportunity to witness the original before they see the new version.”
Montgomery’s live scored version of Nosferatu will commence at 7pm on October 22.
With attendees invited to “dress for Halloween and bring someone to hold onto” this promises to be a night not to be missed… if you dare!
Tickets are on sale now via the Armidale Playhouse website.
Something going on in your part of the region you think people should know about? Send us a news tip or email newsdesk@netimes.com.au.