Hilary Chaplain
The Clown&Clown Festival of Monte San Giusto continues with two unmissable days, bringing on stage three highly talented international artists, renowned both for their exceptional stage skills and for their commitment as clown-doctors, in perfect harmony with the mission of the festival, which unites the world of clown-artists with that of clown-therapists.
Thursday 3 October, at 9.30 pm at PalaTorresiCircus, the famous American clown Hilary Chaplain will present her award-winning show “A Life in Her Day”a hilarious and touching physical comedy that explores the absurdities of everyday life. An unconventional and incredibly funny show created under the direction of the great Avner Eisenberg, a splendid combination of physical comedy, object theatre, puppetry and theatre. On stage, a single woman makes do with a “fake family” made of common household items. An original amalgam of Lucille Ball and Charlie Chaplin, the character on stage reveals her most intimate moments after discovering an “engagement” ring in her cereal box.
Hilary Chaplain is one of the leading interpreters of contemporary clowning, known internationally for her ability to combine humor and emotional depth. American actress and clown with exceptional experience, including a leading role in the film Forrest Gump. In addition to her acting career, she is a pioneer of clown therapy: since 1987 she has been part of the Big Apple Circus Hospital Clown Program in New York, where she brings smiles to hospital departments around the world, working with patients, families and medical staff. He has taught in over 20 countries and 5 continents
Sunday 6 October, Chaplain is the protagonist of one of the festival’s special events entitled “Physically Funny. Clowns Creating Wonder”. A participatory workshop in which you will have the opportunity to discover and experience the “physical comedy” that makes an actor’s performance surprising, exciting and powerful, whether in hospital, on the street or on stage.
The workshop will take place from 9.30 to 12 in the PalaTorresiCircus, the Festival’s circus tent, with complete information and participation methods available at www.clowneclown.org
Colette Gomette and Anna from Lyrium
Friday 4 October, at 9.30 pm, will be the turn of the French Hèlène Gustin (aka Colette Gomette) and the Austrian Tanja Simma (aka Anna De Lirium) with the show “The One & The One”, a performance that has already enchanted audiences in over 10 countries (paid entry, free up to 3 years of age with info on the festival website). Together, Gomette and de Lirium create a unique experience on stage, exploring the comic and touching dynamics of human relationships through their extraordinary clown performance. They stage a refined clown show that plays on their different physicalities, one thin and small, the other tall and imposing, in a fragile balance between excess kindness, hidden desires and selfishness that can put a friendship to the test. With acting technique of the highest level and exceptional mimicry, they model themselves on some famous comedy couples, tackling strong themes such as tolerance, friendship, diversity, solidarity and sexuality without words and in a hilarious way.
Friday, the day will end in Piazza Aldo Moro starting at 10pm with the Factor Off, performances by artists participating in the ClownFactor with free admission
Hélène Gustin, aka Colette Gomette, is an internationally renowned actress and clown, known for her physical comedy and ability to create characters outside the box. Also active in the field of clown therapy, since 1996 she has been part of several hospital projects in France, with the Le Rire Médecin association, using the power of the clown to relieve emotional and physical pain.
Tanja Simma, aka Anna de Lirium, was part of the cast of the Cirque du Soleil show “La Nouba”. She also has long experience in bringing smile therapy to hospital wards, combining her artistic experience with a deep humanitarian commitment. She is the driving force behind her ‘Comicompany’, co-founder of Theater Olé, Vienna’s first clown theatre, and is one of the key members of the Rote Nasen Clown Doctors.
The special events of the edition also include the awarding of honorary citizenship to Michael Christensen, scheduled for Friday 4 October at 6.30pm in the courtyard of Palazzo Bonafede. Considered the founder of clown therapy, he was a guest of the festival several times. Following the death of his brother from cancer, in 1986 he founded the Clown Therapy Unit of the Big Apple Circus in New York, inventing the profession of clown doctor. In 2008 the honorary citizenship of Monte San Giusto was awarded to Patch Adams, another pioneer of clown therapy, who met Michael Christensen for the first time at the Clown&Clown Festival in a historic event just two years ago
The festival thus represents a perfect meeting point between circus art and clown therapy, where laughter becomes a tool of care and healing, not only for the public, but also for those who need it most.
Clown&Clown Kids activities are also planned on Thursday and Friday afternoons, an area entirely dedicated to children in the public gardens, Parco Piermanni, with books, games and workshops.