The Buster Keaton Story Returns To The Tabard Theatre

Celebrating the centenary of first screen appearance of the silent era icon

Actor James Dangerfield is bringing back his one-man show about legend Buster Keaton to Chiswick's Tabard Theatre on 18 and 19 November.

The show, When You Fall Down, was first performed to celebrate the centenary of Buster’s first screen appearance. It was a huge success when it came to the Tabard last April.

James has even travelled to the USA and performed it for an audience including some of Buster’s own family. "Performing as Buster in front of his daughter-in-law, nephew and granddaughter was certainly daunting! Especially as his granddaughter has been very protective on record about people presenting interpretations of her grandfather’s life," he says.

The play tells how silent screen star Buster Keaton arrives at MGM in Culver City, the film studio which is his new home, and reflects on his life and career. Through slapstick, songs and soft shoe shuffle, When You Fall Down follow his triumphs and trials as he makes his iconic movies. As the world whirls around him, with his marriage failing, his career in danger and turning to the bottle, Buster must hit his mark as he films the most dangerous stunt of all.

Since it was last performed in Chiswick, it has travelled to Paris, around the UK and even appeared in the West End. A 5 star success at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, where it played to more sell-out audiences, the show won a ThreeWeeks Editor’s Choice Award and was nominated for Best Musical.

With mime, magic and re-creations of Buster’s comic routines, this show is a tribute to “The Great Stone Face” a man who always got back on his feet, no matter how many times he fell down.

The show starts at 7.30pm. For tickets, at £12, with £10 concessions, call 020 8995 6035 or visit tabardtheatre.co.uk.

November 12, 2018