Nosferatu

Duke Of York’s Picturehouse, Preston Circus, Brighton, Tuesday, September 22, 9pm, £12/£8, call 0871 902 5728

BRIGHTON movie-lovers left bereft as the Duke Of York’s closed its doors this week need not fear – the Preston Circus venue is back from 6pm tonight with a whole new projection and sound system.

The opening night film will be Brighton-based director Jerry Rothwell's history of Greenpeace: How To Change The World.

The 279-capacity venue is celebrating its 105th anniversary later this month with a birthday screening of F W Murnau’s 1922 horror classic Nosferatu (PG) complete with an exclusive live score by harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry.

“It seems funny to do a sound upgrade and celebrate with a silent film,” admits Catherine O’Sullivan, assistant marketing manager at the Duke Of York’s.

“The cinema is older than the film, but they are almost contemporaneous – it was one of the first horror films.”

The screening will be accompanied by an after-party in the newly refurbished upstairs bar, which features a new set of murals by resident artist Jem Ward. Australian synth and theremin player Miles Brown will be playing live.

O’Sullivan says the cinema, which has also recently upgraded its outside space, will still be keeping its 35mm projector.

The new technical upgrades will mean they can programme the latest cutting edge releases too.

“This project has been in the works for so long it will be a big change for us," she says.

“The new Bond film Spectre, which is out on October 26, will be the best way to experience the new sound system.”