|
|
This evening is part of a three-night celebration of very cool silent films, with various musicians performing ambient electronics, solo piano and classical renditions to accompany the films. Nash is tonight's featured performer and has prepared an evening of Un Chien Andalou as well as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. This small theatre seats only 67 people so Nash has agreed to do two shows. Nash arrives with Derek, Mike, and Sandy the security dog. Sandy has taken my place as the gig pooch but I still run things and write the report. Through doggie telepathy I show Sandy the layout around the property and where to take a good dump. Nash and I were last here in January and the place is as efficient and friendly as ever. Rob the house manager has got to be one of the best people Nash has ever worked with. This kind of mutual respect makes things go very smoothly. Tonight there will be two full shows, each about ninety minutes in length with a half-hour break between shows. That's three hours of material, a very long time to perform to say the least. Nash introduces each movie with a short description of the film and their significance to the world of cinema. Both Un Chien Andalou and Caligari are masterpieces of early film, and neither movie has ever been imitated, replicated or modernized by Hollywood. There is something about the intimacy of performing in such a small room. The raised bleacher seating puts the audience in Nash's bandaged face, and the slightest nuance of playing is shared with the audience. The large nine by twelve foot screen creates the right stage balance with Nash and his equipment, while the music brings out the tension and passion in each film. At the end of the evening, Nash meets with the audience and signs autographs. Rob's friend Carmen is particularly impressed and is positively gushing with glee at having talked with Nash. These concert sets are more relaxing than the bar gigs and the night ends earlier as well. Nash and the gang are back home by 2 am, relaxing after a long but pleasant evening. Thanks again to everyone at The Staircase Theatre and we'll be back again soon. Digger |
