Our popular silent film night takes a frightening turn this year, with a feature screening of The Phantom of the Opera, a 1925 silent horror film adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, directed by Rupert Julian and starring Lon Chaney, Sr in the title role of the deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, causing murder and mayhem in an attempt to make the woman he ‘loves’ – an opera star.

The film remains most famous for Chaney’s ghastly, self-devised make-up, which was kept a studio secret until the film’s premiere. The film was released on November 25, 1925 in the US and it wasn’t released until 1930 in the UK.

Donald MacKenzie, FOCHO’s Honorary President, returns to provide live improvised accompaniment on the hall’s magnificent Harrison & Harrison organ. Donald is one of Europe’s finest theatre organists. He has presided at the mighty Compton organ in the Odeon Luxe, Leicester Square organ for over 30 years. He is an acclaimed concert organist too and his reputation extends to being the doyen of silent film accompanists (on the organ). He has performed in many of the UK’s top venues from major cathedrals to our great concert halls – all performed in his own inimitable style. Donald is in demand playing for recitals of light and popular organ classics as well as his silent film performances. His silent film performances are also available on DVD and Blu Ray releases.

In addition to his skills as a professional solo musician, Donald writes for the magazine Organists’ Review as a feature writer and reviewer. He also has a great interest in the history of organ recordings and has a formidable collection of 78s from the very first known release in 1910.