Faust

FW Murnau’s Faust effortlessly takes us from gothic horror to bucolic comedy and back again, accompanied by Matt Eaton (Pram) and Gareth Jones (Misty’s Big Adventure, Grandmaster Gareth).

Demonic wings enveloping a small town. Words burning themselves onto a blank scroll. A night flight on a magic cloak. With the last film he made in Germany before sailing for Hollywood, FW Murnau used every trick in the toy-box to transform Goethe’s words into thrilling cinema. Starring the legendary Emil Jannings as a gurning, malevolent Mephisto and Swedish matinee idol Gosta Ekman as Faust, the film effortlessly takes us from gothic horror to bucolic comedy and back again.

Who better to accompany this marvel than Matt Eaton (Pram) and Gareth Jones (Misty’s Big Adventure, Grandmaster Gareth)? Regular Flatpackers may recall their earth-shaking take on the same director’s Nosferatu, and for this closing event in the Old Rep’s beautiful auditorium they’ve gathered a crack ensemble of musicians. It should be some journey. This new commission would not have been possible without the support of the Feeney Trust.

Doors open at 7.30pm. Film starts at 8.00pm.

See also: Murnau's The Last Laugh, with live accompaniment by Les Trucs The Feeney Trust is a long established Birmingham grant-making trust. We give priority to applications for the arts, heritage and open spaces, and we are delighted to be supporting Flatpack Projects' commissioning of a new score to F W Murnau's silent film Faust, composed by Gareth Jones and Matthew Eaton

Encouraging new work in the arts is a special interest for us. We are well known for some fifty Feeney Commissions for the CBSO, several of them now part of the repertoire. We have also supported new work for the CBSO Youth Orchestra, Birmingham Opera Company, Birmingham Bach Choir, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Ex Cathedra, and now seek, in addition, to support new work in art forms other than music. By encouraging Birmingham heritage and supporting projects and individuals working in the arts or open spaces, we seek to make a big difference to the life of our City.

If our objectives appeal, why not make a gift to the Trust or leave a legacy in your Will? Your gift or legacy can either be added to our capital fund (about £1.5m) or be earmarked for a particular project. Please visit our website www.feeneytrust.org.uk or get in touch with our secretary, Amanda Cadman, secretary@feeneytrust.org.uk.