Portishead and Goldfrapp Members Join Forces on Film Score

Portishead's Adrian Utley (pictured) and Goldfrapp's Will Gregory are collaborating on a live score for silent era classic 'The Passion Of Joan Of Arc.'

They are set to perform their work when the French film is screened at Bristol's Colston Hall on May 7. The performance brings them together again with broadcaster Charles Hazlewood, set to conduct an ensemble including Utley and Gregory that will feature six electric guitars, members of the Monteverdi Choir, percussion, horns and keyboards.

Made in 1928, 'The Passion Of Joan Of Arc' was banned in the UK due to its portrayal of English soldiers mocking the French martyr. The original version was lost for decades after fire destroyed the master negative, until an almost complete print was found in 1981 in an Oslo mental institution. Since then, several composers have supplied music for the film, including US artist Cat Power.


Utley and Gregory, both Bristolians with experience of writing for films, have previous form with the genre-busting conductor, himself based at a Somerset farmhouse. In 2008, they appeared as part of his All Stars group at Glastonbury Festival to perform music by Moondog among others. Earlier this year, the Portishead guitarist joined Hazlewood at London's Roundhouse to update songs from 18th century work 'The Beggar's Opera.'