Red noses and big ears are coming to town! Get ready for a belly-aching, tear-inducing, laughter-filled 100 minutes as The International Clown Festival (ICF) kicks off on September 29. The show will travel across four major cities – Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and arrive in Mumbai on October 11 and 12. “This year is the biggest ever with 30 shows and a total audience of 30,000. We have a team of clowns from Japan, Germany, Singapore and the United States travelling to India for the first time,” shares Martin ‘Flubber’ D’Souza, founder of Lighthouse Entertainment the company that manages the festival. This is the ninth edition of the festival and each 100 minutes theatre show will consists of comedy, juggling, acrobats, circus acts, magic and music.
Trigger warning: if you suffer from coulrophobia (the fear of clowns), this
is definitely not the article for you.
Clowns – cool or creepy?
Interestingly, the word “clown” is first believed to have appeared in English around 1560, but the concept is based on even earlier characters from ancient Greek theatre and an early form of Italian theatre known as commedia dell’arte. Ronald McDonald, the face of the fast food giant McDonald's is undoubtedly the most recognizable clown in the world. Rusty the beloved clown from The Simpsons known for his inappropriate humour and goofy laugh is equally popular. As amusing as they are some clowns can be unsettling too. Stephen King's 1986 horror novel It introduced us to a demonic clown Pennywise who preys on children and feeds on their fears. Sadly, it also led to a rise in the number of people suffering from coulrophobia, a fear of clowns.
What to expect at ICF
The festival this year will see clowns from across the globe. Some of the most anticipated acts involve Sleepy the clown from Canada best known for his award winning balloon act and magic. The Japanese are most sought after for their high circus skills, physical comedy and pantomime humour.
The ICF has Rone and Gigi of Japan as well as Jenny an incredible unicyclist from Germany. Her spellbinding act involves juggling hats while on a tall giraffe unicycle. Then there is Gaia Ma of Italy an amazing tap dancer. Mumbai’s very own clown Flubber (Martin D’Souza) is known to dazzle audiences with his sheer theatrical energy and rib-tickling physical comedy. Unlike previous festivals which were held in malls this year the acts will be performed in auditoriums and theatres. In Mumbai it will be held at the NCPA and the St Andrew’s Auditorium while in Delhi the Siri Fort Auditorium has been reserved.
Though clown shows are primarily aimed at children between 3-12 years of age, they are now tailored to win families too says D’Souza. “We have parents telling us that they have not laughed like this for years. One expectant mother in Chennai told us “my child will be born a happier person because of today’s show.” Some kids who have seen our shows years ago even come back and watch it with their friends and children,” says D’Souza who laments the lack of good quality clowning in India. “One bad or shabby looking entertainer destroys the magic for many. Just dressing as a clown does not make a person a clown. One cannot dress as a doctor or a policeman and say you are a doc or a cop. Years of practice goes into this. We build a clown character and a personality over time.”
Schedule of International Clown Show
Chennai
September 30, October 1 and 2
Venue: Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall
Time: 3pm and 7 pm
Delhi
October 7
Venue: Siri Fort Auditorium
Time: 11 am, 3 pm and 7 pm
Mumbai
October 11-12 at NCPA TATA Theater, Nariman Point and October 13-15 at St Andrews, Bandra
Time: 3 pm and 6 pm
Bengaluru
October 19-20 at Prestige Srihari Khoday at 4 pm and 7 pm and October 21-22 at Good Shepherd Auditorium at 3 pm and 6 pm
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