THE classic 1925 adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s novel The Phantom of the Opera will be screened at a special Silent Movie Night as part of Southampton Film Week.

The film stars Lon Chaney – who also co-directed – as The Phantom and Mary Philbin as Christine.    

Organist Richard Hills will provide live musical accompaniment at the screening, which takes place in Southampton Guildhall on Tuesday, November 5.

Richard is one of the very few musicians truly to have bridged and mastered the divide between the world of the classical organ and that of the theatre organ.

Having commenced classical organ studies under William Whitehead at Rochester Cathedral, he became Organ Scholar at Exeter College Oxford, studying with David Sanger. Further organ scholarships followed at Portsmouth Cathedral, where he studied with Rosemary Field and at Westminster Abbey.

He now pursues a freelance career and is Organist at St Mary's, Bourne Street, London.

His career in the theatre organ world has been equally prestigious. He has numerous prizes and awards to his credit, both in this country and in the USA, where he was named Organist of the Year in 2010 by the American Theatre Organ Society.

He has appeared many times on national and international TV and radio, including solo appearances on programmes as diverse as Radio 3 Choral Evensong and Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night, and has several recording credits.

His most recent solo recording was made on the magnificent dual-purpose Compton organ of Southampton's Guildhall.

When not on the bench Richard serves as musical advisor to the Cinema Organ Society and maintains a practical interest in organ building.

Doors open at 7pm before the screening starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets priced £9.50, concessions £7, are available from the box office on 023 8063 2601.