There is very little hard evidence of what it was like to see a silent film with live music in the teens and twenties.

The experience of one cinema would be very different to that of another, particularly since an ensemble could range from one to fifteen players.

The Originals brings together articles, diaries and eye witness accounts which I have collected over the years, to try and give at least a feel of what it was like to hear and play music for silent film, during the pre-sound era.

This site will be added to from time to time and it is hoped will make some unique material available for the first time, to shine a light on the most neglected of all art forms.

The images and articles on these pages are free to use, but please acknowledge their use, and this website, in any republication.