The Cabinet of Dr Caligari tours Wales

Award-winning composer Lynne Plowman’s ambitious new score for the classic German silent film The Cabinet of Dr Caligari will be performed live by the London Mozart Players, alongside screenings of the film, in nine venues across Wales during April and May.

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is regarded as one of the most influential German expressionist films and also as the first true horror film. Made in 1919 by Robert Wiene, it tells the tale of a sinister fairground showman, Dr Caligari, and the creepy, sleepwalking Cesare, who is an attraction at a local village carnival and is suspected of committing a series of grisly night-time murders.

“I saw the film a few years ago and was blown away by it,” said Lynne, who lives near Cardiff and is best known for her two highly successful operas Gwyneth and The Green Knight and House of the Gods. “It’s extremely theatrical, shot in a painted set with a distorted perspective, and the characters become progressively unhinged. It explores the boundary between sanity and insanity and is psychologically terrifying.”

At each performance the film will be preceded by a talk by Lynne Plowman and Michael Rafferty and following the performance in several venues there will be an opportunity for a post-performance discussion with them and with the musicians.

Tour dates 2009:

Tues 28 April, 19.30, The Riverfront, Newport
Box Office: 01633 656757 www.newport.gov.uk/riverfront

Wed 29 April, 19.30,Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
Box Office: 01874 611622 www.theatrbrycheiniog.co.uk

Thurs 30 April, 19.30, Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan
Box Office: 01239 621200 www.mwldan.co.uk

Fri 1 May, 19.30, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth
Box Office: 01970 623232 www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre

Sat 2 May, 19.30,Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells
Box Office: 01982 552555 www.wyeside.co.uk

Sun 3 May, 19.30, Theatr Harlech, Harlech
Box Office: 01766 780667 www.teatrharlech.co.uk

Mon 4 May, 19.30, Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead
Box Office: 01407 763361 www.ucheldre.org

Tues 5 May, 19.30, Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli
Box Office: 01758 704088 www.cinema-wales.co.uk

Wed 6 May, 19.30, Galeri, Caernarfon
Box Office: 01286 685222 www.galericaernarfon.co.uk

Supported by Arts Council of Wales and Colwinston Charitable Trust.