THERE’S a chance to combine music and horror at Birkenhead’s Future Yard this Halloween with a screening of FW Mernau’s classic silent horror, Nosferatu, alongside a live performance of a new and original soundtrack composed and improvised by Tony Judge.

Liverpool-based Tony has composed and performed his music for both solo piano and various ensembles for over 40 years. He has written and played extensively within the context of contemporary jazz but has more recently focused on composing and performing his piano music for silent films in which he includes large elements of improvisation.

Originally made in 1922, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror has come to be regarded as an influential masterpiece of cinema.

Starring Max Schreck as vampire Count Orlok, the film is loosely based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula although its makers did not seek permission, Bram Stoker’s heirs sued over the adaptation and a court ruling ordered all copies of the film to be destroyed.

However, a few prints of Nosferatu survived and today its eerie, gothic feel - and a chilling performance from Schreck as the vampire - ensures it continues to set the template for the thousands of horror films that have followed.

The original score was composed by Hans Erdmann to be performed by an orchestra during screenings, but over the intervening most of the score has been lost meaning throughout the history of Nosferatu screenings, many composers and musicians have written or improvised their own soundtrack to accompany the film.

A spokesperson for Future Yard said: “Recent performances of Tony’s original piano composition for Nosferatu attracted widespread acclaim and glowing reviews, and we’re certain his performance at Future Yard will be no different.”

Nosferatu – Film Screening + Live Score is at Future Yard, 75 Argyl Street, Birkenhead on Sunday, October 31. Doors open at 7pm.

Tickets cost £10 from futureyard.org