Snippets of Joy

Hermione Rivison began clowning decades ago at university in the UK. For her clowns can say things an everyday person cannot give voice to without offence. We listen differently to a clown – a serious topic becomes full of fanciful ideas. Hermione worked in the UK and took part in street theatre and was influenced by the work of Augusto Boal and also Slava, the clown. She is a strong believer everyone has a bit of clown in them.

In creating Joy, Hermione has made comments on ordinary events that become slightly extraordinary. Joy is fearless and thoughtful at the same time – traits we should imitate in our own lives. Truth is intrinsic to a clown but it may not be the same truth that you or I see day to day. And thereby lies a challenge of imitation in our lives.

Joy struggles with the idea of being lost – what does that mean? In another scene Joy celebrates aging and challenges the viewers to their own self esteem around the passing of time. Lately we have all had reason to protest something – whether it is the price of a chicken leg or climate change. Joy has some suggestions for us all. Death is a subject rarely spoken of and then in hushed tones. A clown knows life on this planet is finite. Four scenes from Joy’s diaries brought to you for contemplation and a good night out at TTOK.

Thursday night’s performance will be followed on Friday with a chance for you to be curious. A two hour workshop exploring physical development of a clown persona, how your clown views the world, and a chance to work with a story your clown wants to tell. A short history of the types of clown begins the workshop to present options but this particular workshop focuses on clowns with something to say!