A Conspiracy Of Clowns

Wow.  OK, I know I promised to write up the process as it’s been happening, but man oh man it has been such an intense rush of discovery and exploration that it’s been nigh impossible to find a moment to reflect on the search.  Better to just go with it.

Let’s get some smoodgy stuff out the way.  I have been really fortunate in my life to experience some great teachers.  With the greatest of respect for all of them though, Giovanni is quite simply a master.

Hardly batting an eyelid or without too much concern, within minutes he swept the 13 of us up and has held us enthralled the past 5 days.  And that’s not to imply he’s disinterested – on the contrary, he is able to give, to every single person in turn, his utmost focus and generosity as he expertly guides us to personal revelation.  As more than one person has said with admiration: there’s so much learning going on.

So far, it has been such a rejuvenation of personal creative energy and passion.  I’ve been feeling quite low ever since we closed at the Baxter (I suffer horribly from post-production blues), and have been staring down the barrel of creating 2 brand new works for festival and feeling creatively dead.  But here comes new life, stirring in the changing of seasons.  It has been truly amazing to participate on this course.  And if I were a younger guy, with fewer commitments and responsibilities…man, I’d be applying for his school in a heartbeat!

Today is the final day where we continue to play with our clowns that have been midwived by Giovanni.  I can’t believe the week has sped by so fast.  I wish we could slow down time and make this last much longer.

Excitement is hitting fever pitch at FTH:K HQ - tomorrow we start the weeklong course with Giovanni!  It’s gonna be a long hard course, because we’ve still got company commitments to fulfil, so it ain’t no picnic.  But an awesome refresher/ energiser/ invigorator it will be.  Added pressure on people like Liezl and Yve who are basically auditioning for his school, but they’ll be fine.  It will all be good. 

Bring it on!

This Saturday, 14 March,  Sjaka S. Septembir and Yve Pelser are starting a series of workshops for performers to play and grow.

These focus on:

• improvisation
• object theatre
• clowning

Cost is a measly 20 bucks, and they are hoping to make it a regular event every Saturday.  I can’t make it this weekend, but am hoping to go the following one.

It’s happening at Hiddingh Campus, UCT, from 10:00-12:00 and you can get more details from Sjaka on 0732558318. Sweet!

Tomorrow it’s exactly 2 weeks to Giovanni Fusetti starting his workshops here in Cape Town, and excitement is mounting!

Word from the organiser is that there are two spots still for grabs for the workshop this March 25th - 30th.  So  if you are keen, please email him the following info at giovanni.fusetti@helikos.com :

• motivation letter
• updated photograph of yourself
• updated CV
• two reference letters

The workshop also counts as an admissions application to his school HELIKOS, if you are considering trying to go there when it opens in 2010.

But keep on checking back here as we’re gonna be covering the whole shebang!  It’s gonna rock.

Internationally renowned clown and theatre pedagogue Giovanni Fusetti will be in Cape Town in March to do a weeklong residency, “The Essence of Physical Comedy: From the Neutral mask to the Red Nose”.  This is gonna be huge!  And Liezl and I  have both been accepted, so it will be a great tonic and refreshing play session for the Conspiracy before we knuckle down to some national touring (more about that later).

According to the website, the application date has now closed, but maybe you can try your luck?!?!  Email Yve at clowningworkshop@gmail.com

In the meantime, we dream our dreamy little dreams and wait all expectantly.