Once again, The Great Lakes Musicians Collective, operating for these shows as The Silent Film Ensemble, offers up to Owen Sounders the most unique and engaging entertainment concept to come along in some time. Performing live music as the soundtrack to a silent film is, of course, as old as silent film itself. But since “the talkies” came along in the late 1920s (before even MY time) it’s not something most of us have ever experienced.
This time around, in recognition of the Ensemble’s first anniversary, as well as in support of the Roxy Theatre, they ramped it up in a couple of important ways. All previous shows have been held at the more intimate venue of the Downtown Bookstore, but as this show was to be a benefit for the Roxy, that’s where it was staged. And they damn near filled the place, well done!
Also on the playbill were two remarkable short silent films, commissioned for the event, which couldn’t have been more different in tone, but which were both extremely successful at what they set out to do.
The first was Isaiah Walters’ light-hearted homage to both Chaplin-esque filmmaking, and to local historical venues, most notably the old brothel!! It had a great reaction from the crowd, probably due to the fact that a significant number of them were actually in the film, as was the filmmaker himself.
The second film, Lester Alfonso’s self-described “artsier” piece, was conceived as a “silent dance film”, where the single dancer, confined to a cage-like enclosure, benefits from some stunning editing, the result being a visually arresting pallete for the Ensemble’s on-the-money musical contribution.
Ryan Wiseman’s engaging “newsreel” style piece kept the motif alive, while focusing on the Ensemble itself; and this took us to intermission, where samosas from Rocky Raccoon and other treats courtesy of Around the Sound, were enjoyed in the lobby.
The main event was Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid”. This is the first time in a very long time I’ve watched an entire Charlie Chaplin film. You see clips, or you watch for a while on the late night show, then you move along. So this was a bit of a surprise for me, that it was as nicely put together a film as you could hope for. We think of Charlie Chaplin the actor, the physical comedian, the Little Tramp, but this was a welcome reminder of Charlie Chaplin the writer and director.
The music of the Silent Film Ensemble, however, was my main reason for being there, and once again they did not disappoint. Ringleader and soundsmith Joshua Richardson, along with Jonathon Cox (bass), Charles Glasspool (piano), Jonathan O’Leary (violin), Patrick Dorfman (banjo), Tara MacKenzie (harp and voice), and for the first time Trevor MacKenzie (guitar and ukulele), immersed us in a near-seamless audio landscape, allowing us to either lose ourselves in the film, or to listen to and enjoy for its own sake, as I often found myself doing.
These folks have gained, over the last year, a level of confidence and maturity in their performances that is heartening to hear, and bodes well for their continued success.
Josh, ever the gentleman, was gracious enough during the introductions to acknowledge to the crowd my own erstwhile membership in the ensemble, for which I am humbly grateful…
Seen here at the Downtown Bookstore in February 2009. Pay no attention to the goofball at the drum kit.
