A Sunday treat!

Joey (sister) and I had a wonderful afternoon today at De Montfort Hall in Leicester for her early birthday treat.

We had two front row seats for Chaplin’s ‘City Lights’ with a live accompaniement from the Bardi Orchestra.

I love the power and intricacy of having a full orchestra in front of you, but after a few seconds of the gorgeous black and white film, I had forgotten they were there and luxuriated in the richness of the sound and images, until Joey pointed out the amazing work the cellos were doing during the party scenes.

I have always been a diehard fan of Buster Keaton and fashionably dismissed Charlie Chaplin blithely, but here you really understand how much of a genius he is – expressive, athletic, emotional, funny, pathetic, vulnerable and heroic.

It was a joy from start to finish, enjoyed by everyone evident when you listened to the laughter and exclamations. I welled up at the end as the perfect story finished and it reminded me again of the beauty of silent films.

The final crescendo at the end of City Lights with the Bardi Orchestra