Courtesy photo Marion Davies stars in "The Bride's Play," the 1922 silent romantic drama set in Ireland. The film will be screened with live music this Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre. (Courtesy photo)

WILTON – In a tip o’ the hat to the coming St. Patrick’s Day holiday, the Wilton Town Hall Theatre will be screening the classic silent film romance “The Bride’s Play” this Sunday.

Show time is 2 p.m. at the historic theater, located at 40 Main St.

There is no admission charge, but a $10 donation per person is requested to support the Town Hall Theatre’s popular silent film series.

Live music will accompany the film, which stars Marion Davies and is set in 1922 Ireland.

New Hampshire-based accompaniest Jeff Rapsis, who will provide the live music, improvises scores for silent films using a digital synthesizer “to recreate the texture of a full orchestra,” he said.

He calls his technique “kind of a high wire act,” but adds “for me, the energy of live performance is an essential part of the silent film experience.”

According to Rapsis, Town Hall Theatre continues to comply with all state and CDC public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Capacity is currently limited to 50%, and all patrons are required to maintain social distancing and wear masks until seated, Rapsis said.

As for The Bride’s Play, Marion Davies plays two roles: Contemporary Irish lass Aileen Barrett and her distant ancestor from medieval times, the noble Lady Enid of Cashel.

On their wedding day, both carry out the Irish custom of “The Bride’s Play,” which calls for the bride to make the rounds of all male guests, asking each in turn if he is the one she loves best, until she reaches the groom.

In medieval times, this honored custom led to a scandal at Lady Enid’s elaborate marriage ceremony. Now, centuries later, Aileen Barrett faces trouble with her own impending nuptials.

“Carried out at her ceremony, will the ancient custom of ‘The Bride’s Play’ reveal the identity of her true love? And will it be the man everyone expects?” Rapsis asks, rhetorically.

He said “The Bride’s Play” was one of a series of lavishly produced costume dramas made by the studio Cosmopolitan Pictures and financed by Davies’ long-time lover, newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.

“The film, shot on the California coast, was noted for its massive medieval castle set designed by John Urban,” Rapsis said. “Directed by George Terwilliger, ‘The Bride’s Play’ was released through Paramount Pictures.”

Cosmopolitan, founded by Hearst, heavily promoted the career of Davies, who appeared in 29 silent and 17 talking films with the company.

“The story for ‘The Bride’s Play,’ like many Cosmopolitan pictures, was originally published in Hearst’s well-read newspapers and magazines,” Rapsis added.

He said that Davies’s films, “though popular at the box office, were often dismissed by critics as Hearst vanity projects intended to showcase his lover in exotic tales and elaborate costumes.”

Long unavailable for public viewing, Davies’s silent films have been rediscovered in recent years as well-produced vehicles for her acting talent and big screen appeal.

“Davies had an on-screen magnetism that still comes through today, a century after her career was in full swing,” Rapsis said. “To see a film like ‘The Bride’s Play’ on the big screen is to understand why she was so popular.

“Plus,” he added, “it’s set in Ireland, so it’s a fun -and Covid-19-safe – way to get in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day.”

More information about the show and the theater is available at www.wiltontownhalltheatre.com or by calling 654-3456.

For more information about the music, go to www.jeffrapsis.com.