“Decades later, it still retains its ability to scare – and Lon Chaney’s performance remains one of the benchmarks of the horror genre”
DOORS: 18:30 | FILM STARTS 19:00
We’re returning to St Mary Redcliffe this October as part of our 2025 Halloween season for a special centenary screening of The Phantom Of The Opera. This adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s famous novel is a dark and dangerous descent into the underbelly of the Paris Opera House, led by Lon Chaney’s grisly, career-defining performance as the eponymous Phantom. It also contains one of cinema’s first, and most infamous jump scares - contemporary audience members apparently fainted in shock, so you have been warned…
This remarkable film will be set to an original score performed live by Bristol-based quartet Minima, who specialise in spellbinding contemporary accompaniments to silent films. Their score for this seminal film is an event not to be missed!
About The Film
1925 | PG | 78 mins
As new management takes over at the Paris Opera House, an aspiring opera star and her sweetheart discuss their future together - but a mysterious figure known as the Phantom has other plans for his creative muse. When the Phantom’s demands are not met, he unleashes a wave of murder and mayhem upon the Opera House.
Contains mild horror
About The Venue
St Mary Redcliffe has served the local parish for over 800 years as a site of constant worship, welcoming a diverse congregation.
The beautiful Gothic architecture has received widespread critical acclaim from various architects, historians, poets, writers and monarchs. In 1541 the English topographer and antiquary John Leland, claimed it was "the most beautiful of all churches" he had seen in England. Queen Elizabeth I, on a visit to the church in 1574, was said to have described St Mary Redcliffe as "the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England.” In 1628, Charles I deemed it "one of the most famous, absolute, fairest and goodliest parish churches within the Realm of England.”
St Mary Redcliffe hosts regular screenings with the Festival, combining silent films with live music - from contemporary quartets to improvised organ recitals - to create powerful performances that breathe fresh life into these masterpieces of early cinema.
About The Performance
“Minima are one of the leading bands accompanying silent film in Europe” — BARBICAN CENTRE, LONDON
Minima are a Bristol-based four-piece group, with instrumentation including cello, double bass, baritone guitar, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, autoharp, dulcimer, synthesizer, glockenspiel and drum kit.
Formed in 2006, Minima perform in cinemas and art centres, as well as music and film festivals, playing original live soundtracks to silent films; their music is a 21st-Century interpretation of the images of silent film.
Highlights over the years have included performances at Glastonbury Festival, the Barbican Centre, BFI Southbank and the Transylvania International Film Festival. After their incredible performances at this venue, accompanying our centenary screening of Nosferatu in 2023 and then The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari in 2024, we’re delighted to be welcoming them back again for another night of atmospheric cinema.
Watch The Trailer
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TICKETS
Getting Here
The main entrance is via the Church’s North Entrance just off Redcliffe Way/Redcliffe Roundabout - the what3words reference is entertainer.many.reds
There is no visitor parking available at the venue - the closest car park is the Pay and Display car park on Redcliffe Parade East.
St Mary Redcliffe is close to several City Centre bus routes, and is a short walk away from Bristol Temple Meads train station. There is more information on public transport links to the venue here.
Wherever possible, we encourage walking the use of public transport when travelling to our events.
Accessibility
Level access is available via the Church’s Southern Entrance: a map detailing this can be found here. Please contact us in advance to arrange access via this entrance.
If you are attending an event as a carer for a disabled guest, then you are entitled to free access. Please select the relevant ticket and bring appropriate proof of eligibility such as proof of blue badge, access card, cinema for all card, letter from a professional or evidence of DLA/PIP. If you are uncertain, please contact us.
Please let us know if you require seating in a specific area (e.g. close to an exit)
We want to make your visit as enjoyable as possible, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information about this venue’s accessibility.
This screening is a silent film with dialogue displayed on title cards in English.
Venue & Event Information
Doors to the venue will open at 7:00PM (19:00) - we cannot guarantee access to the venue before this time, so recommend you arrive as close to this time as possible.
For this event, please enter the venue through the Church’s North Entrance - if you require level access through the Church’s South entrance, please contact us to let us know.
Please do not consume food or drink purchased from off the premises during this event.
FAQs
Can I buy food/drink at the venue? We will be providing a range of drinks for purchase.
I have a BuyAGift/Red Letter Days/other voucher. How do I redeem this for this event? Head to this page for more information about redeeming Gift Vouchers.
Is my ticket refundable? We operate a no-refunds policy; tickets may be exchanged for event credit to the same value of your ticket up to 48 hours before the start of an event. To request an event credit, please complete our event credit application.