The Hat, The Cane, The Moustache

Synopsis

A unique and playful look at one of the world’s most famous film stars. Explore the life and career of Charlie Chaplin through the eyes of a young actor in the moments before he goes on stage to recreate his idol. This one man show is a funny and extraordinary story of two performers, told in words, visual and physical theatre - all with a great big toothy grin, and the inspiration of a legend to draw on... With a hat, a cane and a moustache, Chaplin’s Little Tramp will come back to life right before your eyes.

Reviews

★★★★ "A charming hour of black and white magic" - GetReading.co.uk

"An affectionate portrayal of an extraordinary man exquisitely performed. Do go and see this." - Tina Avery, EdFringe.com Audience review.

"Absolutely amazing and inspirational! If I could see this more I totally would!" - Sydney Baskind, Facebook.com Audience review.

"What a talent, true passion for a legend that is Charlie Chaplin. A pure performance that will not disappoint." - Lynda Brown, Facebook.com Audience review.

"Lovely, tender and innocent @ChaplinEdFringe show! Very recommended to #Charlot lovers!!" - @msubmarine, Twitter.com Audience review.

"@CliveNkickin shines as the infamous Charlie Chaplin @ChaplinEdFringe. A beautiful portrait of a visionary" - @Immer_City, Twitter.com Audience review.

History

The show was originally performed in October 2012 as a research and development piece, and has since gone on to be developed further in to the production you see here this evening. During this time, many people have been involved; the writer, based in Texas, USA, the Chaplin estate, based in France, the dramaturg who adapted the script further, based in the UK, the director, based from South Hill Park, the list goes on, but it has been a huge team effort and a huge task – despite only being an hour long show. Huge thanks are owed to the vast number of people who have supported the show, of which a list can be found later on this page.

Downloads

• Flyer Front (JPEG)
• Flyer Back (JPEG)
• Copy Image (JPEG)
• Optional Copy Image (JPEG)
• Edinburgh Fringe 2013 Media Pack (PDF)
• Edinburgh Fringe 2013 Press Release (PDF)

The Team

Clive Elkington, ‘Spencer’ and LivelyWood Pictures, Producer

Clive has been acting for over 10 years and has performed roles in a number of different productions, on stage and on screen. Clive was one of a number of performers who performed across 3 of the 4 ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. More information is on his website www.cliveelkington.co.uk. He set up LivelyWood Pictures in 2011 with the aim to create and provide work for other fellow actors who may have time out of work but still would like to be doing something relevant to the industry they enjoy working in so much.

South Hill Park, Producer

South Hill Park is an Arts Centre of great distinction in the South East. A key part of South Hill Park’s remit is supporting and commissioning new work across the arts, from both established and emerging artists. “South Hill Park is supporting The Hat, The Cane, The Moustache because we could see so much potential in the early R and D stage which we hosted last year. Clive has a passion for the work of Charlie Chaplin and an uncanny ability to portray him physically. He has a charming storytelling style which will hold audiences mesmerised from start to finish. SHP is delighted to help mould this piece of work and to assist taking it to Edinburgh to reach the industry and a wider public.” – Ron McAllister, Chief Executive.

Bubbles Inc. and Roy Export S.A.S, Charles Chaplin Estate

Bubbles Inc. owns the merchandising rights in and to the Chaplin name and image. Bubbles Inc. was set up in 1972 for merchandising of the unique character Charles Chaplin created – The Little Tramp. Since so many years went into the development of the character, Bubbles Inc. does not license the use of the image without taking into consideration the quality of the article manufactured by potential licensees, their reputation, and above all the image of the Little Tramp that they propose to use. There is a lasting quality to the Little Tramp – his image appeals to all age groups, even to those too young to have seen a whole Chaplin film. Bubbles Inc. aims to keep the character present in these "modern times". We are not simply licensing an image, but the lifetime’s work which that image represents. Roy Export Company Establishment which owns the copyrights and other relevant rights to all films made by Chaplin from 1918 onwards. The association also manages the Chaplin Archives and serves as a link between the above mentioned companies and the Chaplin family. The only members of the association are also members of the Chaplin family.

JeTamme Derouet, Writer

Most of Jetamme’s work has been as a private biographer, where she has written personal biographies for both private and public clients all over the world. She is also a professional Charlie Chaplin historian. Jetamme is passionate about Chaplin, and is thrilled to be able to show you the magical wonder of all that was this beautiful, complex, childlike tragicomic, who suddenly burst onto the screen, playfully rolled his hat down his arm with the smile of a precocious child, and became the most famous man on earth overnight.

David Wembridge, Writer, adaptations

David began writing pieces for the stage as a student. His first full-length piece, A Heap of Mud, was performed in the Studio Theatre at South Hill Park, Bracknell in 2010 and Blather followed in 2012. Last year, he also helped to adapt All's Well That Ends Well with Bart Lee for an out-door production at South Hill Park. His involvement with The Hat, The Cane, The Moustache has been as a dramaturg, developing the piece to highlight the cinematic side of its subject and the extraordinary performance of its star.

Luke Burton, Director

Luke trained at TVU to attain a degree in theatre and performing arts. He is co-founder of ‘Rose Street Players’ and is also manager of the Studio Theatre at South Hill Park. Acting credits include Steve in Summer Holiday, Joseph K in The Trial, The Fool in Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters, Ariel in The Tempest, Charles Surface in School for Scandal, Jean-Paul Marat in Marat/Sade, Andy in Brassed off, Beaver in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Valentine in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Horst in Bent. Directing credits include The Office Party, The Birthday Party: for Rose Street Players. Sherlock Holmes and the Bearded Imposter, Anyone for Breakfast: For the Studio Theatre Company.

Acknowledgements

LivelyWood Pictures would like to thank all the above creative parties involved in this production, as well as the following: Alan Valentine, Victoria Spearing Set Design (Bench), James Sherwill, Lyndon Baines, Nina Anderson-Souter (Costume), Laura Hockey (Costume), Alex Harvey-Brown (Photography 2012, Projections 2013), Tom Neill (Photography 2013), Bourne Music.

This production has been made possible with the overwhelming and incredible support received from the following: South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ron McAllister, Richard Knight, Sharon Duncan, Doreen Smith, Brian and Mags Wheeler, Berkshire Arts Academy (BARTA), Savannah O’Connor, Alison Collington, Nick Teale, Peter Michael Marino, Gemma Swaisland, Margaret Chadwick, Jess Nicolini, David Wembridge, Mary Flavelle, Ana, Clive and Dan Elkington (inc. Arty Party Mooses – Personalised promo sticks), Lisa Renals, Jess Cerasale, Anthony Flemming, Sherry Eastwood, Sally Little, Steve Davies, Tim Bastock, Jane Robertson, Julian Hirst, Kim Halliday, Alex Harvey-Brown, Emma Donald, Loraine Pullinger, Margaret Howe, Sue Commerford, Karen Farr, John Potter, Paula White, Paula Harris, Femke Docherty-De Vos, Kitty Hardy, Jo Tilley, Terry Tilley, Carole Sharp, Charlotte Pearce, Dennis Wilkinson, Rose Talmage, Diane Collins, Ellen Mac Hale, Russell Reeve, Pauline Young, Patrons of The Golden Farmer Public House, Steve and Jan Holden and all who donated prizes to the raffles.