Nosferatu – A Symphony of Horror, the legendary 1922 silent film – the very first movie about a vampire -became famous also for its ground-breaking cinema techniques. Now the story is to be retold – again in silence with a musical score – but this time as a theatrical production. Cambridge Junction will host Corkscrew Theatre in a new, multimedia version of this old, gothic horror.
In the original film, the servant Hutter is sent by his master to finalise a deal with Count Orlok. But soon, Hutter realises that Orlok is a vampire – and worst still, the bloodsucker has his eyes set on Hutter’s wife.
In this new play, described as atmospheric, unsettling, and visually striking, the work promises to breathe new life (as it were) into a timeless tale of obsession, fear, and the uncanny. Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, the 1922 German silent film, was directed by F W Murnau with a screenplay by Henrik Galeen. It was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Like most silent films at the time, it was shown with accompaniment from a live orchestra. Its original score by Hans Erdman has been mostly lost over time and many composers have created new music to score the film.
Geoff Page, the musician who has created the score for this new stage version, says his was the “slightly crazy idea” to get actors to recreate the film silently to a live orchestral score.
Page’s music will be performed by nine musicians.
Filmmaker Emlyn John has created a video as part of the piece and an ensemble of actors, recognised for their talents in other Corkscrew productions, are directed by Lesley Ford. They include David John, Will Males, Dan Aspel, Matt Wilkinson, Christian Burton, Annabelle Roberts, Lucy Archer-Woodcock and Emma Harley who have all worked together to devise the show.
Lesley Ford said: “This has been a really creative and exciting experience for everyone at Corkscrew. Actors, musicians and multimedia artists have come together to retell this classic story in a totally original way, while honouring the original film’s wordless storytelling. Dare to look, but beware – the shadows are watching.”
Nosferatu runs from 19-22 January at Cambridge Junction at 8pm. Tickets: £18/£15 concessions from 01223 511511 or www.junction.co.uk/events/nosferatu-a-haunting-reimagined Recommended for people aged over 12
