Why Silent Cinema Should Be Remembered with Neil Brand
Octagon Chapel, Norfolk, NR3 1BN
Friday 17th July 2026 8:00PM
Silent cinema has its own language, its own immediacy thanks to live music, and its own impact thanks to great visual storytelling by visionary film-makers. Join TV’s Neil Brand and film historian Lawrence Napper on a journey back in time to discover the magic of cinema before synchronised sound. Their show will introduce some of the greatest moments of early fiction and comedy film-making as well as featuring scenes made in our region."
About the speakers
Neil Brand is a renowned British composer, writer, and broadcaster best known as one of the world’s foremost silent film accompanists. With over 30 years of experience, he has scored and played for numerous silent movies at major festivals, including collaborations with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BFI. He is also a respected BBC TV presenter on music and cinema history.
Lawrence Napper is a historian who gained his PhD at the University of East Anglia in 2001, and is also a graduate of UEA's Film Studies with an Archiving MA. He was senior researcher on UEA's British Cinema History Research Project, and taught on the MA and BA courses at UEA.
Please note: refunds are only available if a show is cancelled or rescheduled, unfortunately booking fees are non-refundable.
About the speakers
Neil Brand is a renowned British composer, writer, and broadcaster best known as one of the world’s foremost silent film accompanists. With over 30 years of experience, he has scored and played for numerous silent movies at major festivals, including collaborations with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BFI. He is also a respected BBC TV presenter on music and cinema history.
Lawrence Napper is a historian who gained his PhD at the University of East Anglia in 2001, and is also a graduate of UEA's Film Studies with an Archiving MA. He was senior researcher on UEA's British Cinema History Research Project, and taught on the MA and BA courses at UEA.
Please note: refunds are only available if a show is cancelled or rescheduled, unfortunately booking fees are non-refundable.
Event Details
Starts at 8:00PM
