Following sell-out seasons in Adelaide and Edinburgh in 2025, award-winning fringe sensation SMILE: The Story of Charlie Chaplin is coming to Muswellbrook on Thursday 29 October 2026 and Singleton on Friday 30 October 2026.
Hailed as “one of the most dazzling performers to emerge on the fringe circuit”, Marcel Cole delivers a “stunning one-hour treatment” of the extraordinary life and career of Charlie Chaplin, one of the greatest physical comedians of all time.
Using mime, clowning, projected story cards and audience participation, Cole tells Chaplin’s remarkable story in the style of his films. The result is an inventive, accessible production for young and old alike. SMILE is recommended for ages eight and over and is suitable for all ages.
Thursday 29 October 2026, 7.00 pm–8.10 pm
Hunter Regional Conservatorium, 80 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook
Tickets: Adult $36; child (2–17 years) $20; family (two adults and two children) $100.
Book Now for Muswellbrook
Friday 30 October 2026, 6.00 pm–7.10 pm
Singleton Youth Venue Auditorium, Pitt Street, Singleton
Tickets Adult $36; child (2–17 years) $20; family (two adults and two children) $100.
Book Now for Singleton
Clowning & Mime Workshop 10am-12pm Friday 30 October
Hunter Regional Conservatorium Muswellbrook, tickets $20
Book now for workshop
Award recognition
• Best International Show — Hollywood Fringe 2025
• Best Theatre — Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award 2025
• Audience Favourite — San Diego International Fringe 2025
Reviews:
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘Comic genius’ – The LIST
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘Marvellous’ – Glam Adelaide (2026)
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘A sparkling gem’ – Glam Adelaide (2025)
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘Cole has perfected the art of mime’ – The AU Review
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘Extraordinary’ – On Your Markus
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘Both tender and hilarious’ – Perth Happenings
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘Highly timely’ – Clara Reviews
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘Mesmerising’ – State of the Art Media
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘Utterly irresistible’ – Canberra Critics Circle
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘Enormous fun’ – Fringefeed
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2 ‘Exemplary physical theatre’ – Stage Whispers
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2 ‘Extremely entertaining’ – The Clothesline
Awards:
WINNER – ‘Best Theatre’ – Newcastle Fringe, 2026
WINNER – ‘Best Show from Adelaide’ – The LIST Ed Fringe Awards, 2025
WINNER – ‘Best International Show’ – Hollywood Fringe, 2025
WINNER – ‘Audience Favourite’ – San Diego Intl. Fringe Fest, 2025
WINNER – ‘Outstanding Production’ – San Diego Intl. Fringe Fest, 2025
WINNER – ‘Best Theatre’ – Adelaide Fringe weekly award, 2025
WINNER – ‘Best Individual Performance’ – Newcastle Fringe, 2025
WINNER – ‘Best in Theatre’ – Fringe World weekly award, 2025
WINNER – ‘Hollywood Fringe Tour Ready Award’ – Sydney Fringe, 2024
WINNER – ‘San Diego Fringe Tour Ready Award’ – Sydney Fringe, 2024
WINNER – ‘Spirit of Fringe Award’ – Sydney Fringe, 2024
About Alive in the Upper Hunter
These performances are part of Arts Upper Hunter’s Alive in the Upper Hunter, a new touring initiative connecting communities across the Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter shires through inspiring live performances and creative experiences.
Alive in the Upper Hunter is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Create NSW and is committed to building stronger connections between artists, venues and communities across the region.
Image: Marcel Cole. Courtesy of Marcel