THE SECRET WEAPON OF MARCEL MARCEAU – SILENCE

It was during World War II when Germany was leaving no stone unturned to demolish everything that came its way, Marcel Marceau a Jewish mime performer, decided to do his part to save the Jewish children who were in the danger of being located by the Nazis.

Several Jewish children were hiding in a French orphanage and there was a threat of the Nazis coming any point in time, so they had to be evacuated quickly. However, it was very risky thing to do as there were children of all ages and even the slightest of sound, giggling, crying or awkward behavior could mean all of them were in deep trouble.

Marcel took the responsibility of doing this next to impossible task.

Marceau helped smuggle hundreds of children to safety in neighboring Switzerland. To avoid detection on the perilous journey, he used his miming skills to keep the children quiet and entertained.

It was Marcel’s training in mime act which made this possible. He was able to keep everyone quiet by acting in silence. He just didn’t use his acting skills to keep the kids entertained, he used to it to save their lives.