FOR a man who worked in the silent world of mime, Marcel Marceau liked a chat.

I interviewed him in the ‘70s on television and he settled in to stay the distance for the whole show. Never mind the other guests! But he was interesting and interested in a whole range of topics and I have fond memories.

But his stage presence was unforgettable. His performances the epitome of the consummate mime artist and that sinewy lithe body and the distinctive face make-up kept his audiences mesmerised and enchanted. His hair, on the other hand, was like a covering of steel wool.

The late Jan Dalman met Marceau in 1960 and five years later, in Adelaide, he sought him out after a show and asked to photograph Marceau performing.

That became a regular gig during Marceau’s seven tours to Australia and a selection is now on display at the Alliance Francaise in Turner in partnership with the Canberra Museum and Gallery.

Opened by CMAG’s director Shane Breynard, we learnt a little more of the great Marceau and toasted his return from the Dalman collection of slides to the limited edition prints now on sale.