ABSTRACT

Clowns: In Conversation is a groundbreaking collection of interviews expanded in this second edition to include over 30 of the greatest clowns on earth. In discussion with clown aficionados Ezra LeBank and David Bridel, these legends of comedy reveal the origins, inspirations, techniques, and philosophies that underpin their remarkable odysseys.

These artists speak candidly about their first encounters with clowning and circus, the crucial decisions that carved out the foundations of their style, and the role of teachers and mentors who shaped their development. Follow the twists and turns that changed the direction of their art and careers, as they explore the role of failure and originality in their lives and performances, and examine the development and evolution of the signature routines that became each clown’s trademark. This new edition has been fully updated and expanded, bringing in Lila Monti, Cristina Marti, Leo Bassi, Danise Payne, Bernice Collins, Ketch, Robert Dunn, Nina Conti, Hélène Gustin and Tanja Simma, Michelle Matlock, Shannan Calcutt, and Gardi Hutter.

Clowns is a unique and definitive study on the art of the clown, exploring their role in the modern world – a fascinating series of discussions for students, scholars, and teachers of clowning.

part |230 pages

The Clowns

chapter 21|9 pages

Leo Bassi

chapter 2|11 pages

René Bazinet

chapter 3|9 pages

Shannan Calcutt

chapter 4|10 pages

Angela de Castro

chapter 5|5 pages

Bernice Collins

chapter 6|7 pages

Nina Conti

chapter 7|8 pages

Dimitri

chapter 8|6 pages

Robert Dunn

chapter 9|9 pages

Jango Edwards

chapter 10|13 pages

Avner Eisenberg

chapter 11|7 pages

Aziz Gual

chapter 12|8 pages

Hélène Gustin And Tanja Simma

chapter 13|9 pages

Geoff Hoyle

chapter 14|6 pages

Gardi Hutter

chapter 15|14 pages

Bill Irwin and David Shiner

chapter 16|5 pages

Ketch

chapter 17|10 pages

David Larible

chapter 18|5 pages

Cristina Marti

chapter 19|6 pages

Michelle Matlock

chapter 20|6 pages

Lila Monti

chapter 21|7 pages

Bello Nock

chapter 22|6 pages

Danise Payne

chapter 23|13 pages

Larry and Lorenzo Pisoni

chapter 24|8 pages

Slava Polunin

chapter 25|4 pages

Oleg Popov

chapter 26|11 pages

Nola Rae

chapter 27|10 pages

Peter Shub

chapter 28|6 pages

Misha Usov

part |11 pages

Reflections