Northern Silents: The Man Who Laughs

Northern Silents: The Man Who Laughs A rare, exhilarating screening of the darkly romantic swashbuckler that served as the secret blueprint for the Joker. In this chilling tale, a ruthless king kidnaps a young boy in the dead of night and forces his face into a permanent grin as punishment for his father’s sins. Cast out of society, the disfigured Gwynplaine grows into a carnival sideshow performer, drawing crowds paradoxically fascinated by his unsettling appearance. Grounded in Victor Hugo’s novel, The Man Who Laughs fuses gruesome horror, brooding romance, and high‑stakes adventure. Conrad Veidt delivers a magnetic performance that earned him a lasting legacy, notably inspiring the iconic look of Batman’s arch‑enemy. Experience the film alongside a live score by two of the UK’s leading silent film improvisers: pianist Jonny Best, founder of Northern Silents, and cellist Liz Hanks, whose work ranges from Richard Hawley to Pulp. Together, they’ll weave an original soundscape that breathes new life into this striking classic. Details & tickets.