The Unknown Played by Big Top Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM PDT
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Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM PDT
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A Shadbolt Presentation
Big Top performance of the silent film, “The Unknown”
A silent horror classic presented with an original live musical score by Big Top
The most celebrated and exquisitely perverse of the many collaborations between director Tod Browning and his legendary leading man, Lon Chaney, The Unknown features a wrenchingly physical performance from “the Man of a Thousand Faces” as the armless Spanish knife thrower Alonzo (he flings daggers with his feet) whose dastardly infatuation with his beautiful assistant (Joan Crawford as Nanon) - a woman, it just so happens, who cannot bear to be touched by the hands of any man - drives him to unspeakable extremes. Sadomasochistic obsession, deception, murder, disfigurement, and a spectacular Grand Guignol climax, Browning wrings every last frisson from the lurid premise.
Originally titled Alonzo the Armless, this 66 minute-long silent horror film was released in 1927 with the tagline: "A superb mystery thriller, unusual and startling even for a Chaney film. Lon as "The Unknown" eats, drinks, shoots a rifle and dresses with his feet. Don't miss this startling spectacle!"
Vancouver-based Big Top creates and performs an instrumental soundtrack to the film. The band’s music is a tip of the hat to Ennio Morricone's soundscapes with a bit of circus style thrown in for good measure - guitar-based instrumentals, cinematic and atmospheric. Band members are: Scott McLeod (guitars), Stephen Graf ( bass, sound effects), Gordon Rempel (piano, organ), Ed Goodine (drums), Marc L'Esperance (guitars), Noah Walker (guitars, lap steel).
Doors open 30 minutes prior to show, please note for some shows latecomers may not be guaranteed entry.
TICKET FEES
General $25.00
Reserved Seating
Group Rates Please contact the box office for group rates of 10 or more.
Please contact the Box Office if you require accessible seating or have ticketing or subscription questions. 604.205.3000
Group Rates - You can use this ticket as part of subscription but there is no discount avaiable.
No refunds on tickets. 2.00 fee per ticket for exchanges
Big Top performance of the silent film, “The Unknown”
A silent horror classic presented with an original live musical score by Big Top
The most celebrated and exquisitely perverse of the many collaborations between director Tod Browning and his legendary leading man, Lon Chaney, The Unknown features a wrenchingly physical performance from “the Man of a Thousand Faces” as the armless Spanish knife thrower Alonzo (he flings daggers with his feet) whose dastardly infatuation with his beautiful assistant (Joan Crawford as Nanon) - a woman, it just so happens, who cannot bear to be touched by the hands of any man - drives him to unspeakable extremes. Sadomasochistic obsession, deception, murder, disfigurement, and a spectacular Grand Guignol climax, Browning wrings every last frisson from the lurid premise.
Originally titled Alonzo the Armless, this 66 minute-long silent horror film was released in 1927 with the tagline: "A superb mystery thriller, unusual and startling even for a Chaney film. Lon as "The Unknown" eats, drinks, shoots a rifle and dresses with his feet. Don't miss this startling spectacle!"
Vancouver-based Big Top creates and performs an instrumental soundtrack to the film. The band’s music is a tip of the hat to Ennio Morricone's soundscapes with a bit of circus style thrown in for good measure - guitar-based instrumentals, cinematic and atmospheric. Band members are: Scott McLeod (guitars), Stephen Graf ( bass, sound effects), Gordon Rempel (piano, organ), Ed Goodine (drums), Marc L'Esperance (guitars), Noah Walker (guitars, lap steel).
Doors open 30 minutes prior to show, please note for some shows latecomers may not be guaranteed entry.
TICKET FEES
General $25.00
Reserved Seating
Group Rates Please contact the box office for group rates of 10 or more.
Please contact the Box Office if you require accessible seating or have ticketing or subscription questions. 604.205.3000
Group Rates - You can use this ticket as part of subscription but there is no discount avaiable.
No refunds on tickets. 2.00 fee per ticket for exchanges
Venue
Studio Theatre Reserved
6450 Deer Lake Avenue
Burnaby BC V5G 2J3
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Performance Notes
A Shadbolt Presentation
Big Top performance of the silent film, “The Unknown”
A silent horror classic presented with an original live musical score by Big Top. Vancouver-based Big Top creates and performs an instrumental soundtrack to the film.
“While our venue is fully accessible, mobility access is limited. If you require mobility accommodations, please contact our box office in advance of your show so that we can be prepared to accommodate your needs.”
For Subscription pricing, please contact the Box Office
Preview The Silent Film here
Big Top performance of the silent film, “The Unknown”
A silent horror classic presented with an original live musical score by Big Top. Vancouver-based Big Top creates and performs an instrumental soundtrack to the film.
“While our venue is fully accessible, mobility access is limited. If you require mobility accommodations, please contact our box office in advance of your show so that we can be prepared to accommodate your needs.”
For Subscription pricing, please contact the Box Office
Preview The Silent Film here