On Friday October 30, 7:30pm, the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Church in Perth will be transformed into a 1930s cinema for a special screening of the horror masterpiece Dracula. Originally directed by Tod Browning, this 1931 iconic film will be brought to life with a live, onstage musical accompaniment. A chamber ensemble, under the direction of composer Mark Bailey, will perform a compelling new musical score composed specifically for the film. Dracula is a follow-up to Mark’s Frankenstein score, which was performed at St. Paul’s in February.
Mark Bailey is a Perth-based composer, arranger, and trumpet player whose lifelong passion for cinematic storytelling shapes the music of this performance of Dracula. A resident of Perth since 2008, Mark has become a fixture in the local arts scene, contributing his talents to numerous regional music and theatre productions. Before settling in the area, he served as a member of the prestigious Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces in Ottawa, where he specialized as both a trumpet player and an arranger.
From an early age, Mark was captivated by the power of film music, always finding himself accompanied by an internal soundtrack of television and movie themes. The musical score represents the culmination of that lifelong fascination. Creating the musical landscape for Dracula — a task that naturally invited late-night inspiration — offered an irresistible opportunity to blend his classical arranging background with his deep love for dramatic, atmospheric storytelling. He is thrilled to share this evocative work with the passionate and talented artistic community he calls home.
Filling out the chamber ensemble will be musicians Geoff Johnson and Brad Mills (keyboards), Terry Kirkpatrick (percussion), Lynn Morrison (flute/piccolo), Cynthia Yuschyshyn (euphonium), Tony Stuart (clarinet/soprano sax), and Hugh McMillan (sound and lighting tech).
The sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Church benefits from great natural acoustics, wrap-around seating on two levels allowing for good audience sightlines, and high-quality sound and lighting to enhance the performance.
Tickets ($25) are available at TicketsPlease.ca and at the door (cash only). Come as you are, or celebrate Halloween and wear your costume if you dare!
Come out on Friday, October 30 for an unforgettable evening where classic cinema meets live contemporary performance.
