Silent Film at Marble Arch
We are thrilled to present a unique live experience open to toddlers and families in a central London setting.
* A curated programme of early cinema with live music, featuring selected excerpts from original silent films for the whole family.
The scores are composed and performed live by Dennis Tjiok Royal College of Music-trained composer, concert pianist, organist, featuring his original compositions written specifically for these films and realised in real time on organ and piano.
Our selection of films includes historic classics that have influenced animation, fantasy, visual storytelling, and children’s entertainment more than a century later.
Georges Méliès’ legendary A Trip to the Moon (1902), widely regarded as one of the first great fantasy films ever created, famous for its dreamlike imagery and pioneering cinematic invention. We will also feature Méliès’ enchanting Cendrillon (Cinderella), among the earliest screen adaptations of the fairy tale, filled with theatrical transformation, visual humour, magical effects, and wonderfully expressive “funny faces” that young children respond to instinctively.
Families will also experience Winsor McCay’s Gertie the Dinosaur (1914), considered one of the foundational masterpieces in the history of animation. Long before modern animated films existed, Gertie astonished audiences with a character who appeared playful, expressive, emotional, and alive — qualities that continue to captivate children remarkably naturally today.
Alongside these, the programme includes a selection of humorous, inventive, and visually rich short silent films from the early twentieth century, specially chosen for young children and family audiences, including comic scenes, exaggerated expressions, physical humour, funny faces, playful movement, and moments of gentle surprise that translate beautifully across generations.
Silent cinema offers a uniquely natural and imaginative viewing experience for toddlers. Without rapid editing or overwhelming dialogue, children engage through observation, expression, gesture, rhythm, and music — in many ways closer to how very young children experience the world itself.
*Please note, our event tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. All of our family tickets are limited to 2 adults only per booking due to limited seats.
If you have any questions, please get in touch at music.360.education@gmail.com
or visit https://toddlermusicacademy.com/