Shrimshanks, one of many acts performing at the inagural London Clown Festival
Checking my phone while coming out of Old Street Station the other day, I received an email inviting me to the press night of the inaugural London Clown Festival. Taking a quick look around, I thought the event was already in full swing and I was amidst its most ardent performers. Nope, that’s just how people bandy about in Shoreditch these days.
But seriously folks, an actual London Clown Festival is coming soon (like this weekend). And yep I’m headed to the press night. But that preview is right on top of other related events. So, I thought I’d go ahead and publish a quick heads up for you all as the festival looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun.
Hosted at London’s newest Arts Hub, The Omnitorium at Manor House, from 10 to 19 June London Clown Festival is “a festival of physical comedy and clown influenced contemporary performance” exploring “what clown is to the modern performer and their audiences.”
The first festival of its kind in London, 34 shows will be seen over 10 days featuring highly acclaimed artists, alongside up and coming new talent from across the globe, including BAFTA and Chortle Award Nominee Spencer Jones; Total Theater Award for Innovation Nominee Jamie Wood; and multiple award winner Lucy Hopkins. In creating this festival, theorganisers hope to share the joy and exhilaration of Clown with a wide breadth of audiences both young and old and to help to alter the image of clown in the public consciousness.
The Omnitorium is located at Eade Road (at Seven Sisters Road), N4 1DH. Find out more at omnitorium.co.uk and londonclownfest.co.uk.
