When You Fall Down -The Buster Keaton Story At The Tabard Theatre

Written to celebrate centenary of his first screen appearance

Actor James Dangerfield is bringing his one-man show about legend Buster Keaton to Chiswick's Tabard Theatre. from 26-28 April.

The show, When You Fall Down, was first performed last year, to celebrate the centenary of Buster’s first screen appearance.

Last October James 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.

With re-creations of Buster’s tricks, mime and magic, this award-winning 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.

A one-man musical written and performed by James Dangerfield with arrangements and instrumentals by Martyn Stringer, When You Fall Down has been endorsed by The International Buster Keaton Society. It will be appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe this August.

Tabard Theatre, 26th-28th April. Tickets here

April 21, 2018