
Clown Show
EUROPEAN PREMIEREClown Show
EUROPEAN PREMIERE
Roll up, roll up for theatre-maker Geoff Sobelle’s contemporary portrait of America as a falling-apart circus.
Geoff Sobelle and his troupe of clowns have set up their 'beautiful big top' in the wreckage of America. The acrobats and the jugglers have long since left, leaving the clowns to run the show. Sobelle returns to the International Festival following his immersive, surprising productions, FOOD (2023) and HOME (2018).
Part-clown, part-magician, Sobelle creates hilarious and poignant work, whose impact can be ‘as disturbing as it is beautiful’ (The Scotsman). This time, Sobelle is joined by an army of clowns holding it together as best they can, performing the original score on questionable instruments.
Together, they invite you into a crumbling empire to witness the greatest show on earth before it disappears completely. It may be the USA’s 250th birthday this year, but Sobelle asks if the American Dream is better described as a deal with the devil.
super-slick staging, physicality and sleight of hand
Supported by Sir Ewan and Lady Brown
Programme
Mostly non-verbal, with some spoken and sung English
Cast & Credits
CastCloseOpen
- Geoff Sobelle, Jenn Kidwell, Nikki Calonge, Sophie Bortolussi, Elvis Perkins, Gideon Irving, Leo Gurevich, Mike Dobson & Domenica Fossati
Creative CreditsCloseOpen
- Geoff SobelleCreator & Director
- Maruti EvansSet & Lighting Designer
- Tei BlowSound Designer
- Suzanne BocanegraCostume Designer
- Jecca BarryCreative Producer
- Mike DobsonMusic Director
- Elvis Perkins, Mike Dobson, Leo Gurevich & Gideon IrvingOriginal Music
- Thomas JenkeleitProp Designer
- Brian FreelandProduction Manager
- Chris SwetckyTechnical Director
- Lisa McGinnProduction Stage Manager
- Kelsey VivianAssistant Stage Manager
CreditsCloseOpen
- Commissioned by Edinburgh International Festival.
Additional commissioning support provided by Stanford University, PS21 Chatham, Arizona State University -- Gammage, Stanley Kim, Diane Max, Laurie Oki, and Garth Patil. Developmental support provided by Brooklyn Academy of Music, Monira Foundation/MANA Contemporary, and PS21 Chatham.
Dive Deeper
Listen to The Warm Up: your audio introduction to the performance.
The Fool’s Privilege: Speaking Truth through Laughter
Image gallery
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Clown Show
© Credit : Baranova
Clown Show
© Credit : Baranova
Clown Show
© Credit : BaranovaDates & Times
Photo: Clown Show
© Maria Baranova-Suzuki


