I was originally going to go to some other shows, but upon seeing that one of the shows finished later than I thought it would and I would not get to Nun Slut in time (I had done Town Hall to the venue the previous week), I decided just to see some shows at the same venue instead. Also, there is a special deal at the “Motley” venues if you buy one full price ticket you can get other ones at half price if you buy from the box office. I wish I had read that properly before I bought tickets for two shows!

I already know someone who is a professional Charlie Chaplin impersonator and actor (as seen in Late Night with the Devil), I know there is more than one of them and it would be interesting to see a point of difference. With this show you don’t actually need to have seen all of Charlie Chaplin’s work as he is such a well-known figure of popular culture you can get buy on what is already out there. This show is also suitable for family viewing as there seemed to be a couple of families in.

There is a lot of interactivity in this show which is difficult as the first half of it is meant to be silent. I even ended up on-stage at one point as one of Charlie Chaplin’s wives. Someone said afterwards I was really funny, I was not trying to be! I was at a Barry Morgan shows once where someone point-blank refused to help “I am coming to be entertained! Not to be the entertainment!”

It does not help if you sit down the back he comes out into the audience to get people during the show. It was quite a small room so he was always walking around the side and doing stuff behind me.

The tech person I talked to before the show said Marcel Cole is trained as a dancer and also went to French clown school. Josh Earl would love this show then! Only five pages of stand-up comedians named “Dave” at MICF in the guide and not 10 like the old days? It’s just not good enough!

He’s a very good physical comedian as the earlier silent parts of the show prove. Also, the “balloon” sequence from the Great Dictator with the “legally not allowed to be mentioned” nipple covers and the balloon popping while it was being bounced into the audience.

As I was on stage at one point, I missed what was going on as I was told to close my eyes and pretend to go asleep. I could not bring myself to kiss Charlie Chaplin on the lips, a peck on the cheek would have to do (I was meant to be his wife). People thought that hilarious for some reason?

If you are nervous about being asked to do stuff I would maybe not go see this show? Otherwise, I have no trouble recommending it as it is on early enough you could see it and then go get hot pot next door and come back for the other shows.

A fun show and seems to be inclusive for a younger audience and families which you don’t normally get at the comedy festival which skews more towards an older crowd.

Show details:

Pricing:

Adult: All Tix $36.35

Tightarse Tuesday: $34.30

Concession: All Tix $30.20

Preview: All Tix $30.20

Group (4+): All Tix $28.15

MOB: All Tix $19.95

Booking fees may apply

Times and dates

Mon 6 Apr & Tue 7 Apr: 6pm;

Thu 9 Apr – Tue 14 Apr: 6pm;

Thu 16 Apr – Sun 19 Apr: 6pm

The Motley Wherehaus – The Lab, 432 Queen Street, Melbourne

Tickets:

https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/smile-the-story-of-charlie-chaplin/

Socials:

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