Hitchcock Silent Movie Night: Blackmail

Saturday 25th January 2025 at 6pm

St Mary-at-Finchley Parish Church invites you to this rare showing of Alfred Hitchcock’s silent movie BLACKMAIL, in the church with live organ improvisation. Rated 88% by Rotten Tomatoes, Blackmail a classic Hitchcock movie, not to be missed. Alfred Hitchcock was the master of suspense and Blackmail is one of his best silent movies. The story is set in London and we see some shots of historic London including the British Museum which you wouldn’t see nowadays. We won’t spoil the plot but it’s exciting and the music will match every twist and turn of the plot to enhance the impact of the visuals.

The live organ accompaniment will be improvised by UK silent movie expert and top organ "Improvisation extraordinaire Darius Battiwalla

In the last few years Darius has been increasingly in demand as a silent film accompanist on both organ and piano. After a sell-out performance of Nosferatu in 2009 at the Sheffield Festival, he has accompanied Phantom of the Opera, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde on the organ, and on the piano has played for the premieres of the newly restored Helen of Four Gates. For several years he played for a monthly series of films at the National Media Museum, and he makes regular appearances at the Leeds International Film Festival, and has also appeared at the Mayfield Festival, Deer Shed Festival, and many other venues throughout the UK. This year sees films in Sussex, Leeds, London and Newcastle. Darius now teaches improvisation at the Royal Academy of Music.
Your ticket (on Eventbrite) is FREE but we do ask you to bring cash or a card to make a donation to the St Mary-at-Finchley Church and Churchyard Appeal to cover costs (suggested donation £10-15). No seat reservations so be ready to queue to get a good pew. Come with your friends.

Timetable – 5.30pm doors open

6pm short presentation about the silent movie and Blackmail in particular, given by Darius Battiwalla

6.10pm BLACKMAIL

7.20pm Refreshments, a chance to chat with your friends and make new friends. Sign up to our mailing list, look round the historic church (Grade 2 listed).

8.15pm End of event

About the venue: St Mary-at-Finchley Parish Church, 26 Hendon Lane London N3 2JJ.
Buses and tubes link us with all of London and beyond. There is some parking in marked bays on Hendon Lane (pay by phone until 6.30pm). Bring your own cushion for comfort!

About the organ of St Mary-at-Finchley Parish Church: The 2-manual Willis Organ (1878) has over 1300 pipes situated in the west balcony. Restored and refurbished in 2011 by Mander organs, it’s regularly played and maintained. For more information see the National Pipe Organ Register: www.NPOR | Search
St Mary-at-Finchley Church and Churchyard Appeal. St Mary-at-Finchley is a thriving community. We are currently fund-raising to improve the churchyard (which is on a busy walking route for the general public) and for the church roof which is very needy. Please give as generously as you can and Gift-Aid your donation if you’re able.

Host or Publisher St Mary-at-Finchley