By ROY CHAPMAN

Marcel Marceau, the master of mime, returned to Chicago on March 20, to begin a three week engagement at the Civic Theatre and was interviewed for WMTH (88.5 FM) radio's "Current Comment." Marceau's world‑wide reputation as the foremost living mime is undisputed.

His amazing ability was first demonstrated to the American public during the 1955‑56 season. His New York debut at the Phoenix Theatre generated such enormous public demand that the engagement was extended at the Barrymore Theatre.

Marceau returned to New York the following spring after a coast‑to‑coast tour and played a sold out run at the 3,000 seat New York City Center. His eight cross‑continent tours since then have continued to dazzle critics and audiences alike, with standing ovations the rule.

Marceau defines mime as "the art of identification of man with the elements and the people who surround us; the art of expressing feelings without speaking, through gestures." Many of Marceau's audiences are aware of his extraordinary talent through his character of "Bip" the clown who has become Marceau's alter‑ego.

Marcel believes that "You are born to become a mime as you are born to become a musician or a dedicated artist; and "Bip" is part of myself, my own soul." He commented further by saying, "I am aware that the young generation seeing "Bip" will be an inspiration to them, and I think the art of mime will be resurrected in several years and that there will be some young American mime companies that will emerge."

Marceau explained that there is no possible way to become a mime without going to a school. "One thing is sure," he said, "that like dance or music relies on a knowledge of something which is written and constructed, mime can't go on without inspiration.

"It must be exactly turned grammatically like words or like music; and it has to be formed; and these are why the schools are so important; and if you really want to become a mime, you must come to France."