Simcoe County
India may seem like an unusual place for an Innisfil actor to celebrate silent film icon Charlie Chaplin’s birthday, but Jason Allin is heading there as the honoured guest of a special festival. Allin, a Chaplin performer who has mastered stage and screen portrayals of “The Little Fellow” is travelling to Adipur, India, for the Charlie Circle Club’s celebration of Chaplin’s 125th birthday and the 100th anniversary of his first film appearance.
Allin discovered Dr. Ashok Aswani, founder of the 40-year-old club, while browsing the Internet, and a friendship developed from their mutual admiration for Chaplin. Aswani invited Allin to be featured in the Club’s parade and celebration. “I’m so excited and honoured to travel to Adipur to celebrate this special year for Chaplin fans,” says Allin. He’ll journey by way of England to first explore Chaplin’s birthplace and the influences of his childhood.
Allin wants to continue Chaplin’s legacy of humour and happiness that began a century ago. With a Chaplin-inspired one-man play and a short film already under his belt, Allin is making a documentary to share the experience of his pilgrimage. He’s raising funds for it through a Kickstarter campaign http://kck.st/1gH5u7X, with a video showing his transformation into Chaplin and clips from his stage and screen work. He hopes to raise $4,000 toward the cost of the journey and documentary, with pledge rewards ranging from Allin’s sincere thanks to an appearance in the documentary.
Read the full report here, Simcoe County
