Spencer NicholsThe E-Town Clown Cabaret
by Fool Spectrum Theatre
Starring: Morgan Nadeau, Bill Yong, Barry Bilinsky
Venue: Evolution Wonderlounge 10220 103 Street
Dates: March 25, April 29, May 27
Ticket Price: By donation
For many of us, the word “clown” evokes images of Krusty, Ronald McDonald or Stephen King’s demon-possessed version. But for the folks behind the E-Town Clown Cabaret, the art of clowning is a world bigger than just floppy shoes and birthday party trauma — it’s about getting out of your comfort zone, finding your inner clown and having a good time doing it.
Fool Spectrum Theatre, formed last September by Morgan Nadeau, Bill Yong and Barry Bilinsky, aims to bring the relatively unknown world of clowning to audiences, while providing a platform for local clowns to expand their character profiles. The Cabaret, a sort of variety show, is a compilation of short skits performed by members of the company and other local clowns.
“We just wanted to have a space for clowns to perform because there wasn’t one in Edmonton,” Nadeau explains, adding that prior to Fool Spectrum’s Cabaret, the opportunity for local clowns to perform was sporadic. “We just wanted a place for clowns to come and perform more regularly, to try new material, (and) to get new characters out there because that was something we also wanted to do.”
Nadeau says, for the clowns at Fool Spectrum who have all studied the Canadian-born mask-based Pochinko Method, clowning is based on three principles: it must be physical, it must be character-driven and you have to have fun while doing it.
“That being said, you can be the most miserable clown in the world, but the performer has to have fun being miserable,” says Nadeau.
She explains that the Pochinko Method is all about the character and how the audience relates to the clown’s personality, not the fact that he or she can juggle or tumble.
“If you think of Charlie Chaplin — everyone knows The Tramp … because you love him, and you feel what he feels, and you are what he is,” she says.
This month’s show, themed “Love is in the Air,” saw clowns in love and lust, getting dated and dumped, and even auctioned off to audience members for a romantic licorice dinner during the show. And with three more uniquely themed performances scheduled this season, there is plenty of opportunity to transform your potentially nightmarish image of the word clown into a charming, innocent, or even horny little bugger.
While the Cabaret is a great opportunity for local clowns to get out of their comfort zones and try out new personas, it’s also an interactive experience for the audience members. Bilinsky starts off the show explaining that “clowns feed off energy,” and aside from the usual clapping and cheering, you may be called upon to hop up on stage. Don’t worry though — you won’t have to say much. The clowns rarely speak — aside from Bilinsky’s jokes and introductions between skits — so you’ll likely just stand there while a brightly dressed and pigtailed girl enlists the help of the endlessly-wise and surprisingly witty Cosmo, to find out if you’re “the one.”
Not sure about the Cabaret? Nadeau promises it’s fun, and it’s always something new.
“Being a clown is an extremely scary thing to do and people are so brave to be coming out to perform for us,” Nadeau explains. “Take a chance on clowns, and come support us. We’re local Edmonton theatre artists. It’s a style that is really hard and really demanding and takes a lot of effort and courage to do and I think people can connect with it if they take a chance and come watch.”
