COMEDY AND CLOWN CONSULTANCY
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What is a comedy and clown consultant?One who gives expert and professional advice. Who works closely with the director and creatives, collaborating in order to find the funny. Utilising clowning and comedy techniques such as physical comedy, character development and comedic timing.
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Isn’t clowning all red noses, unicycles and tiny cars?No. That is but one branch of the clowning tree. Think of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Pierrot, what makes their comedy so evocative and still relevant today is the ever presence of playfulness, heart and the raw essence of humanity.
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How can a clown consultant help me?We provide a pivotal and invaluable outside eye, which focuses solely on the comedic potential of your piece. It could be one moment or an entire arc. We are only interested in adding quality comedy within the context of the narrative, never gratuitous or distracting from the integrity of the story.
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How does it work?That’s entirely up to you. We would meet and discuss the extent of our involvement and whats required for your project. Together we would address the tone, the expectation and find the perfect balance of comedy in your piece.
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Why us?We have spent out whole careers mastering and studying the art of comedy and clowning. As passionate as we are, we are also sensitive to the parameters of your work. We only ever want to add never to distract or take-away.
OUR WORK
Ariadne Auf Naxos - Garsington Opera
The Process
Garsington Opera approached us after seeing some of our work and asked to come on board to consult the iconic bouffie in this complex opera. We worked closely with director Bruno Ravella, brainstorming some storybased jokes and physical comedy possibilities which resulted in a joyous, slick, end of pier style skit.
We were so excited, knowing the hilarious contrast of comedy vs. tragedy in Act II. The clown historically lives somewhere inbetween laughing and crying and what better place than the island of Naxos.
In the studio we put aside time for character development through a few simple improv games, archetype stimulus and prop exploration.
Understanding the world of Opera is imperative. The time constraints, the expectation and the technique of the art form and what is possible within it.
