If there is a more enchanting sound in the universe than children squealing with laughter at the sight of Laurel and Hardy, then I’ve yet to hear it. Neil Brand brought his extraordinary piano prowess and love of silent film to Cambridge and enchanted an audience of grown-ups and children. Talking them through the world of silent cinema and its charms, Brand introduced a variety of short films and gave a running commentary on what was happening onscreen, while simultaneously providing a terrific musical soundtrack.

First up was some Georges Méliès – not A TRIP TO THE MOON but instead a segment from THE IMPOSSIBLE VOYAGE, a film in much the same vein as a series of travellers land on the sun. Brand explained how he tried to make the piano music sound hot to correspond with the wilting heat the explorers were evidently experiencing, and then cold after they all retreated to a box car filled with ice. After this came THE ‘?’ MOTORIST, a British comedy about one of those new-fangled motor car things taking off into space and driving round the rings of Saturn before falling back to Earth.

Musical instruments representing the moving train and gunshots would used to enthusiastic effect…

THE FATAL SNEEZE was another British comedy short, this time about a man who has pepper thrown all over his clothes and handkerchief as a joke, but whose sneezes are so violent the whole neighbourhood is threatened. Brand was again able to illustrate how the piano can be used to give weight to the onscreen action and enhance its comedic potential.

After ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES by Segundo de Chomón it was on to the 1903 version of THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY, often cited as one of the first narrative movies, with a soundtrack provided by the audience (led by Brand). Musical instruments representing the moving train and gunshots would used to enthusiastic effect, especially during the classic final shot of the cowboy firing his gun at the camera.

Lastly came Laurel and Hardy in a clip from YOU’RE DARN TOOTIN’, with the hapless duo trying to earn a crust from busking on the streets. It ended with a superbly organised mass trouser-ripping sequence, to which the delighted audience provided sound effects to by tearing a specially provided sheet of paper. The boys would surely have approved.