Smile: The Charlie Chaplin Story

Pleasance Dome

At the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

**** “broad smiles all round”

As with most clowns, tears and laughter are never far apart from each other. Marcel Cole traces the life and career of the silent movie star Charlie Chaplin. A gentle blend of mime, music, and some rather brave audience participation. Chaplin’s was a full life stretching from humble beginnings to Hollywood stardom and eventual artistic exile. In truth perhaps the biography is too big a read and a result difficult to condense into one hour. But Cole certainly strives remarkably hard using a clever mix of mime and balletic movements.

The visuals on the screen jog the narrative on as we join him on his route to the top. Chaplin is joined along the way by his brother, his mother and his wife all played by willing audience volunteers. Not forgetting a policeman and an angry judge.

The clowning and physical theatre skills from Cole are a delight as is his genuine warmth shown to his audience. The story arc is a little protracted but doesn’t deflect from a show that will make you smile broadly.

David Robinson