PORT TOWNSEND — “Silents Are Golden,” a night of cinema featuring classically trained actor Rob Mermin and clips from 100 silent movies, is about to unfold at the Chameleon Theater, 800 W. Park Ave.
Mermin’s nationally touring show is stopping in Port Townsend for one date only: tonight at 7 p.m., and it’s a rare chance to see a production that has drawn rave reviews, said Joey Pipia, the Chameleon’s artistic director.
“Rob’s intention is to shed new light on the acting style of the silent era while giving modern audiences a fresh and entertaining look at what made the silent stars shine so brightly,” Pipia said.
He calls “Golden” a “one-man show, an entertaining and educational lecture lavishly illustrated” with silent dramas and comedies.
“Golden” is “a celebration of the art of physical acting—what Marcel Marceau called the ‘silent language of the soul,’” Pipia added.
Mermin studied with Marceau and went on to clown with circuses in England, Sweden and Denmark.
He is a former dean of the Clown College for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and a former president of the all-youth Blackfriars Summer Theater.
In 1987, Mermin founded Circus Smirkus, a touring company that has visited 24 countries.
As for “Silents Are Golden,” Mermin said he loves the effect the vintage films have on people.
“I have taken this show to several countries, and it is like bringing adults to the circus for the first time in decades and watching a childlike wonder and delight return to their faces.”
Tickets to the evening with Mermin are $12 for adults or $8 for children younger than 10. They’re on sale at the Food Coop, 414 Kearney St., or online at www.brownpapertickets.com.
For more details, phone the Chameleon Theater box office at 360-379-1068.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.