Smile: The Story of Charlie Chaplin

Marcel Cole delivers a captivating one-hour show that brings the life of Charlie Chaplin vividly to the stage. Through a blend of mime, clowning, and ballet, Cole captures not just Chaplin’s iconic physicality, but the vulnerability beneath the bowler hat.

We begin Chaplin’s story at the height of his stardom with the movie, The Goldrush (1925). The physical storytelling is sharp and disciplined. Cole’s command of movement allows the narrative to unfold with very few words, that is until Cole enlists the help of many audience members to stand beside him in the mayhem. This adds an unpredictable edge to the show. Thankfully, on opening night those chosen were more than happy to help out, but I fear this may not always be the case. With much of the performance relying on these interactions, it is a risk.

The story rocketed along, only stalling for Cole to whisper instructions to his (co-stars). The audience responded well to this spontaneous comedy, filling the space with laughter.

Chaplin was the last big star of the silent era. With pressure to do a talking picture, he would do one more silent film, Modern Times, before embarking on his most controversial movie, The Great Dictator, a satirical take on Adolf Hitler. Released in 1940, it mocked Hitler before he was considered an enemy of the United States. Cole does a marvellous job of re-enacting two famous scenes from the movie.

Cole strips to his underwear and braces, with black tape over his nipples. Reaching for a balloon, he begins to blow it up. Disappearing behind a curtain he reemerges with an enormous balloon. Taking a black marker, he traces the world map on the globe. Cole’s playful dance highlights his ballet prowess. The sequence is captivating. The chapel fell quiet as Cole recited Chaplin’s speech from the end of the film. Advocating for peace and democracy, and humanity over greed and fascism, was especially poignant given the world’s current political climate.

Cole takes us through Chaplin's many marriages, his exile by the United States and his last marriage to Oona O’Neill, with whom he had many children.

There is no disputing the giant impact Charlie Chaplin had on movies. He passed away in 1977, after a career that spanned 75 years.

Joylyn Secunda provided technical support with a musical soundtrack, sound effects and projections. This added to the overall feel of the performance.

As Cole exited the performing space as The Tramp (Chaplin’s most iconic character), I felt privileged to have witnessed Cole’s homage to one of the greats.

Kerry Cooper