Chaplin & Keaton on the Set of Limelight

by Greg Lam

FULL LENGTH - What would it be like to witness two geniuses at work?

Silent Comedy legends Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton worked together only once, on Chaplin's last movie before being exiled from the United States. For the deeply autobiographical Limelight, Chaplin cast the down on his luck Keaton to play a small part in his nostalgic story of an old comedian doing one last performance. This play imagines...

FULL LENGTH - What would it be like to witness two geniuses at work?

Silent Comedy legends Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton worked together only once, on Chaplin's last movie before being exiled from the United States. For the deeply autobiographical Limelight, Chaplin cast the down on his luck Keaton to play a small part in his nostalgic story of an old comedian doing one last performance. This play imagines what it might have been like on that set while exploring the lives of these two titans of cinema.

CHAPLIN AND KEATON ON THE SET OF LIMELIGHT explores the tension between the desire to entertain and the need to fight for a greater world in politically dangerous times. What responsibilities does an artist have beyond bringing a smile to the face of an audience?

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Chaplin & Keaton on the Set of Limelight

Recommended by

  • Paul Donnelly: Chaplin & Keaton on the Set of Limelight by Greg Lam
    “

    Two comic geniuses meet and find themselves embroiled in a debate about the nature of comedy and the role of art in the world. Their diametrically opposed positions emerge naturally from their creative collaboration. Chaplin's wife Oona is given her full due as well. The philosophies expounded come from real humans and the play brims over with humanity as well as philosophy.

    Two comic geniuses meet and find themselves embroiled in a debate about the nature of comedy and the role of art in the world. Their diametrically opposed positions emerge naturally from their creative collaboration. Chaplin's wife Oona is given her full due as well. The philosophies expounded come from real humans and the play brims over with humanity as well as philosophy.

    ”
  • Doug DeVita: Chaplin & Keaton on the Set of Limelight by Greg Lam
    “

    Greg Lam's play about film legends Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton is a truly magical experience in the writing, the characterizations, the risks he takes with time and place and movement, and the depth of feeling one is left with for both of these men, genius's in their own right, yet so different in their approach to comedy. Beautifully done.

    Greg Lam's play about film legends Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton is a truly magical experience in the writing, the characterizations, the risks he takes with time and place and movement, and the depth of feeling one is left with for both of these men, genius's in their own right, yet so different in their approach to comedy. Beautifully done.

    ”
  • Kevin Cirone: Chaplin & Keaton on the Set of Limelight by Greg Lam
    “

    Absolute magic to think of two Hollywood legends, each with radically divergent views on the nature of art and the role of film in people's lives on the world stage, and how it resonates even louder today. Keaton's explanation of comedy gave me chills. Well done.

    Absolute magic to think of two Hollywood legends, each with radically divergent views on the nature of art and the role of film in people's lives on the world stage, and how it resonates even louder today. Keaton's explanation of comedy gave me chills. Well done.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

  • Charles Chaplin
    White haired but still fit and vibrant. His Cockney accent is almost, but not quite, eradicated and replaced by a consciously cultured sound. Emotions bubble easily to his face. Usually energetic but sometimes shows a great fatigue from years of struggle.
    62
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Buster Keaton
    Looks easily as old as Charlie, face weathered by age, drink, and poverty, but still energetic. He sometimes laughs and smiles, though his face is usually inexpressive, which was his trademark. Deep baritone voice. He’s physically fit for a man his age. Shorter than Chaplin.
    56
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • The Tramp
    Chaplin’s famous screen persona. Derby hat, baggy pants, smallish coat, all worn and faded, a bamboo cane and a toothbrush mustache, black. His trademark is his grace and elegance, which lets him dance out of trouble.
    30
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
  • Stone Face
    Buster’s famous screen persona. Porkpie hat, baggy pants, caked on white make-up, clean shaven. Short (5’3” or so) but powerfully built. He’s known for never smiling, accepting his fate with deadpan stoicism.
    30
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • The Girl
    Beautiful blond 1950’s starlet. Plays the foil in The Tramp and Stone Face’s comedy skits, plus breaks out and narrates when necessary. She looks wholesome and sweet with a great smile and look.
    20
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Claire Bloom/Oona Chaplin
    Both are beautiful, slender, dignified, and elegant. Long brown straight hair. The two characters look identical. Their only real distinguishing feature is that Claire is British and Oona is American.
    20
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Beverly
    Very American. Curly red hair, not as refined or glamorous as The Girl, a bit forward and brash.
    27
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Pear Theatre, 2022
  • Reading, Living Room Theatre - Baldwin Wallace University, 2020
  • Reading, The Depot, 2016

Production History

  • Professional, Pear Theatre, 2024