Review: Smile: The Story of the Life of Charlie Chaplin

**Picture:** Marcel Cole working the audience in *Smile: The story of the life of Charlie Chaplin*, 2026 Anywhere Festival Brisbane (Credit Creative Futures Photography).

I absolutely loved Marcel Cole’s show, The Ukulele Man, which took the 2024 Anywhere Festival by storm, and had great success at several other festivals around the world. I am delighted to report that Cole has another winner on his hands with the fabulous 2026 Anywhere Festival Smile: The story of the life of Charlie Chaplin. This is a show that makes audiences laugh, smile, and more.

As the originator of the iconic ‘tramp,’ Sir Charles Chaplin (1889-1977) may need no introduction. The son of English music hall entertainers, Chaplin rose to become a successful filmmaker, director, ‘pantomimist,’ comic actor, singer and composer, who is still perhaps best known for black-and-white silent films and legendary ‘tramp’ character. Having lived through two world wars, the great depression, and the American McCarthy Era anti-Communist investigations, Chaplin’s story is arguably a classic ‘rags to stardom’ and ‘hero to villain’ tale. Fortunately, this is also a story that has a happy ending.

Smile: The story of the life of Charlie Chaplin is written by Cole, drawing on Chaplin’s autobiography. Cole is a talented actor, performer, writer, and clown, who stars in his one-hour, one-man, ‘biopic’ show. Cole impressively transforms into the tramp, complete with some fabulous mime, and the re-creation of the comic walking style that Chaplin used to great effect in many of his films. If you love Charlie Chaplain’s comedy and films, you will adore Smile. If, like my 5-year-old friend (or fellow 30-something member of the audience), you are new to the genre, you are likely to be spellbound—and perhaps even be motivated to now seek out more of the old movies. And if you are looking for a date-night treat, gathering with friends or family, or solo evening away from screen-time, this is one for you.

The first half of Smile is in the style of Chaplin’s most-loved silent films—complete with intertitles projected on the rear screen. Cole has the audience in the palm of his hand, as we were all completely enthralled and entertained by the storytelling. In the second half of the show, the tale moves from the silent era to the ‘talkies,’ signalled with the lovely line’ can you hear me?’ The second half of the piece also touches on some of many challenges faced by Chaplin in his later life—including being under investigation for his political beliefs and a legal case alleging paternity. Chaplin’s boldness in making a comedy about Hitler was controversial, but also financially successful. Cole doesn’t shy away from the various ups and downs in Chaplin’s life, delivering memorable moments of theatre that are at times hilarious (those ‘Great Dictator’ moments), quirky (the balletic irreverence for the dictator), sad (‘Oona, it’s time to go’), and poignant (the final moments in Switzerland).

I did describe Smile: The story of the life of Charlie Chaplin as a one-man show. But Cole cleverly draws members of the audience into the story and onto the stage. It is always impressive to watch a talented performer at work, and I love how Cole co-opts people to portray the policeman, his mother, and other people in Chaplin’s life. It really is amazing what a transformation can be wrought with whispered instructions, a few hats, a fake truncheon, and a ‘fur’ collar.

Smile: The story of the life of Charlie Chaplin is timeless, charming story-telling, and it is unsurprising that Marcel Cole has created another festival gem that sells out very quickly. I recommend following Cole’s social media channels for information on future show dates, as performances sell-out very quickly. I do hope that Cole will have the opportunity to bring this show back to Brisbane stages again soon.

One of the many things that I love about Brisbane’s Anywhere Festival is the introduction to so many unusual spaces around the city. New Tricks is a family-owned winery and distillery, based in Ballandean and now also pouring at their funky Albion location. The Albion New Tricks is a real find, and I understand that New Tricks will soon be expanding further, with a new location to open in Paddington. If the warm welcome of the Albion team is anything to go by, New Tricks is going to become a Brisbane favourite—for weddings, events, Friday-Sunday drinks, or for more music and fringe shows. Here’s hoping that they encourage Marcel Cole to bring Smile: The story of the life of Charlie Chaplin, or any of his other shows, back to their funky Albion stage soon.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: *Smile: The story of the life of Charlie Chaplin,* Marcel Cole and our New Tricks Albion hosts at the 2026 Anywhere Festival Brisbane (Credit Creative Futures Photography).

Audience information: The 2026 Anywhere Festival Brisbane program includes only three performances of Smile: The story of the life of Charlie Chaplin (8-10 May 2026) at New Tricks Wine & Gin Distillery, 26 Collingwood Street, Albion, 4010. Tickets $32 (plus $4.40 ticket fee). All ages (recommend 8+, but I know of one 5 year-old who was enthralled). Licensed to serve alcohol. 60 minutes.

The reviewer attended the 8 May 2026 6pm performance.

Review: Smile: The Story of the Life of Charlie Chaplin

Geoff Lawrence