OH … THE PASSION!
19 Aug 2026
19 Aug 2026
A silent film verging on 100 years since its creation took the breath out of the room at Chichester Cinema on Sunday evening.
The Harmonieband Quintet performed an original score penned by their Musical Arranger Paul Robinson, and it simply stunned the sold out auditorium. Everyone was glued to the screen with the sounds of various reed instruments, a cello, an accordion, a piccolo… and and even a counter tenor.
THE FILM
Spiritual rapture and institutional hypocrisy come to stark, vivid life in one of the most transcendent masterpieces of the silent era. Chronicling the trial of Joan of Arc in the hours leading up to her execution, Dreyer depicts her torment with startling immediacy. Anchoring Dreyer’s audacious formal experimentation is a legendary performance by Renée Falconetti, whose haunted face channels both the agony and the ecstasy of martyrdom.
The film was written largely from the actual records of the trial and based on historical evidence that had come to light in 1924, four years before the film was made.
…
THE MUSIC
We were delighted to bring back to Chichester this very talented quintet – HarmonieBand, who you may remember accompanying the film ‘Underground’ at St Johyn’s Chapel in 2024. The band comprise of countertenor Owen Ravden; Julia Butterworth and Dai Pritchard on reeds; Kim Mackrell on cello; and Paul Robinson on accordion.