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INTRODUCTION |
Jango
Edwards has been performing for 40 years and has
inspired a new comic performance movement called the Nouveau
Clowns. During 25 years of teaching Clown
Theory workshops and master classes (the Fools
School), he has created an international team of associate and assitant
teachers to work with him, and a worldwide database of more than
1,000 students and performers who have attended one or more of his
classes. The most established examples of long running annual Fools Schools are: |
| 22
years at the Performance
d'Acteur Festival Cannes, France 11 years at the Comicodeon Festival Kapfenberg, Austria 6 years at Festiclown in Pontevedra and Santiago, Spain. |
Jango has been looking for a permanent location to establish a clown university, which would be called the Nouveau Clown Institute (N.C.I.). After visiting the Roca Umbert Fàbrica de les Arts in Granollers he feels that this could be the place; close to Barcelona, where he now lives and with space to expand, as the Factory of the Arts developes, and alongside other artists. the Institute opens on Sunday 4th of October 2009 with Master Classes 2009/10; two intensive learning programmes of one month each, the first in October of 2009 and the second in March of 2010. |
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In 1975, after moving to Amsterdam, he gave birth to the internationally renowned ‘Festival of Fools’ which continued annually until 1984 and became the world's first comedy convention of the Nouveau Clowns. It set the foundation and form for a new trend in comic festivals; an annual gathering of a clown tribe, where all performed, taught and exchanged the secrets to a new direction and the rebirth of an all but lost tradition. As a performer his talents and skills are in continuous development; mime, dance, juggling, stunts, composer, playwright, author, magician, actor, choreographer, teacher, producer and director. |
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He
has created and toured more than 20 of his own shows, from solo
performances with a pianist, to musical extravaganzas with 6 performers
and an 8 piece rock and roll band. He has directed more than 50
shows for other clown comedians and groups. During the 80’s
and 90’s he had a performing tour schedule of more than 200
performances a year. In theaters, concert halls, stadiums, music
clubs, open-air festivals and venues as diverse as an amphitheater
in the Sahara desert, Notre Dam Cathedral, the Ronald McDonald Comedy
Awards, the International Banking Conference of Switzerland, a nudist
beach, half-time at a football match, the Olympic Village in Barcelona
and a bathroom at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes. His devout fans
include Salvador Dali, The Queen of Holland, the Chancellor of Germany,
Catherine Denueve, Fedrico Fellini, Francis Ford Copola, Xavier
Hollander and the Rolling Stones, to name but a few. |
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Jango
has released four albums, two video complications, published two
books, and as well as numerous appearances in other people's films,
has co-produced and starred in his own. He has scripted, directed
and performed in different live productions including musicals,
plays, TV shows and street animations. He directed the Netherlands
National Ballet for a Royal Performance and is often employed as
a comedy consultant. In 2000 Jango joined Circus Roncalli and spent
one whole year performing in the circus. Jango has a masters degree
as a Doctor of the Academy of Fools at the University of Moscow. |
In 2004 he moved to Barcelona and at the International Forum Festival he created The Fools Militia, a team of clown actors to create large scale clown performances and animations. From this he developed a special World Clown Theater Series at the Almazen Theater where each week international clown artists to present their productions and where every Saturday night he writes, directs and performs with selected guest artists at the ‘Cabaret Cabron’. During the first 2 years of 'Cabaret Cabron' and with the cooperation of over 100 clown artists he wrote, directed and performed ove 100 different productions. |
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He is artistic
director of ‘Monsters of Comedy Festival’ in Rome
and is running training programs for Clinic
Clowns, Clown
Doctors and Doctors with Red Noses. In 2005 he was a participant
in the reality TV show on TF1 ‘Celebrity Farm’.
He continues to teach, direct, advise, produce and assist the
next generation performers in the global clown community. |
Thirty
years ago the art of professional clown was an endangered species.
The genre was pushed to the sidelines of entertainment by the commercial
industry and public. Clown became a prostituted word and by general
definition was associated with Mac Donald's promotional campaigns,
Bozo's afternoon TV cartoon programs and a minor circus act between
production numbers. To be called a clown was an insult. The 1970
Fedrico Fellini film ‘I Clowns’ was a warning of the
impending demise of the art of clown. It brought to our attention
a dilemma which resulted in a crusade of new artists and a rebirth
of the clown genre. |
Nouveau
Clown is a marriage of the traditional art and a progressive modern
style. New comedy artists have discovered the essence of the ‘Clown
tradition’ as a powerful tool for the medicine of laughter.
A mirror in which to reflect the absurdities of the modern technological
life and the human condition. It re-established the fact that a
clown is the greatest actor in the world. |
A
global network of the nouveau clown tribe developed and, avoiding
the commercial entertainment industry, they became as nomads of
culture. Working the streets, the stage and the world they began
to establish their own festivals. The inaugural ‘Festival
of Fools’ in Amsterdam1975 gave birth to a myriad of international
comedy and clown celebrations including Montreals
‘Just for Laughs’, Montreux’s “Juste
pur Rire”, “Congress
of Fools” in Moscow, “Festiclown”
in Santiago de Compostelo, Koln’s
“Comedy Festival” and “Comic Odeon Festival”
in Austria. |
The
tribe of Nouveau Clowns includes: Buffo,
Leo Bassi,
Fratelli
Colombaioni, Slava
Polunin & Licedei, Gustav
Parking, Johnny
Melville, Peter Petovsky, Loco
Brusca, Tortell
Poltrona, Laura
Herts, Natural
Theater, Pepa
Plana, Fools
Militia, Elliot and many more. |
Fools
School - workshops and master classes |
‘Clown
Theory’ is essential for students and professionals in all
areas of theater and entertainment, that will help them reflect
the world around them, and eventually communicate to an audience
at a simpler, more direct level. It will not be a development
of what they may have already learnt, but a ‘back-to-basics’
that will allow the growth of learning to flower. Comedy is the
root of communication - communication is the root of theater.
If an audience is laughing, they are also watching, listening
and learning. |
The
Clown Theory teaching sessions are designed to help anyone discover
and embrace their personal clown, and apply it to their life and
career after the course is completed. Jango does not specialize
in circus or clown ‘skills’; there are many other
schools teaching technique. He teaches the art of the clown actor,
which is not just a profession, but a lifestyle that demands an
understanding of emotion, sensitivity, passion, pathos and the
heart. The essence of clown, in the pure sense, is a combination
of innocence and maturity. |
Through
the use of assorted games, physical activities, demonstrations,
improvisational and sensitivity exercises, combined with an introduction
to the comic formula, each student finds his or her comic simplicity
and logic. A play-environment is created, in which trust within
the group ensemble can develop. This motivates the students to
remember the innocence they have forgotten. It will also reveal
present social and human conditions. It may sound complicated
but in fact it's simple; it is the simplicity that is difficult
for us to grasp. |
Clown
is a social character in all realms of life. The performance situation,
be it theater or circus, is probably the most common form through
which we know clowns; but it's the least important. The primary
requirements to reveal your personal clown is a knowledge of the
comic formula and the creation of a clown heart. You have always
had, and always will have, a clown heart, but to revive it demands
the simple desire to regain and sustain your youth throughout
all aspects of life. The Clown Theory Class first reveals the
innocence each of us has surrendered; and then proves it is never
too late to recapture it again. It’s a challenge, it’s revealing but most of all it’s fun |
‘Discovery
of clown’ has many results and applications beyond
the limited sense of ‘clown-in-performance’. It will
lead to better understanding and communication. It is a discovery
of ‘self’ – the innocent self, that can again
look at the world objectively, through the eyes of the child that
we have forgotten. It is only when the accumulated inhibitions
and intellect of the adult has been cleared away, that again the
joy and the comedy, in all aspects of life, are re-discovered.
And ‘seeing’ is the first step to ‘mirroring’,
which is the first step into all areas of performance and theater. If you are asking an audience to look, to listen, or to laugh – you must first know how to look, to listen and laugh yourself. |
Anyone
who believes that clown workshops are not for them, that they’ll
never be a clown, that they don’t want to be a clown, should
remember that ‘once-upon-a-time’ they were a clown
– and do you remember how good that felt ? Clown Theory
‘feels’ good. And it’s simple – simplicity
is the essence – it’s the simplicity that is very
difficult. |
A
global clown central is needed to educate the next generation.
Nothing else like this exists and the world is more in need of
comedy today than ever. After more than 30 years and still going
strong, Jango should certainly know what he’s doing and
definitely has something to offer the comedy community. Apart
from the teaching activities, the other very important aspect
of the project is the archival library and the N.C.I. website;
networking is an essential element for the future of the clown
profession. N.C.I. was conceived and designed through extensive
collaboration, suggestion and discussion with numerous artists
of the nouveau clown community and Jango has recieved hundreds
of messages of support for the institute from clowns, actors,
students and teachers (listed a the end of this proposal). |
Jango’s
concept is based on the creation of a permanent international
school with a yearly scholastic program of two 12 week terms,
for a maximum 100 students. The atmosphere would be similar to
a university campus, with centers of learning (the Academy of
Clowns), research (the Fools library), administration (Laugh Central),
cooperation, information, production and the clown hotel. |
The
Academy of Clowns Teaching sessions for intermediate and advanced students, as well as master classes for professionals. Plus special training classes, including direction and production of students’ work-in-progress and of professional shows, audio-visual presentations and how to make full use of the the Fools Library for research. Themes covered in the classes would include: What is a Clown ? - What is a ‘Nouveau Clown’ ? - Clown as a Mirror of Society - Clown as an Attitude - Laughter as Medicine - What makes people laugh and the benefits of laughter. |
The
Fools Research Center will be - |
| a library including the past, present and future of clowns, funny people, comedy and laughter including books, films and videos, photos, slides, posters and music - both archive material and from current groups and shows. | |
| a database of information including - | |
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world-wide contacts, festivals and events past and future, images
and graphics - groups, performers, producers, teachers and students - tour schedules past and future - costumes, props, music, sound effects and technical history and information |
| an internet area dedicated to producing information for and accessing from the web and include - | |
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books, videos, music, posters, catalogues - music, video and computer terminals booths - clown video games (if they don't exist we'll create them) - poster and photo exhibition areas including an audio visual map of the world - plants, clown decor and lighting, tables and chairs - this should be a fun place |
Center
of Co-operation For the development large projects with groups and artists working together. |
Center
for Help / Information An ‘N.C.I. Card’ will give you access to facilities and information for theater, projects, special events, corporate functions, conventions, anyone, anywhere who needs to make people laugh. World wide help / advice / access to: artistic direction, technical direction, promotion and promoters, groups and artists, venues and technical equipment. |
Center
for Production Research and development of new comedy and talent for theater, film and television Script writing, direction and show production Administrative and technical support for new performers and groups |
The
Clown Hotel Could take many forms; it's basic purpose being to provide suitable (cheap) accommodation for visiting performers, teachers, and researchers; at most basic 5 or 6 rooms with beds and washing facilities. |
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The
Nouveau Clown Institute has recieved suggestions and/or messages of support from: |
| Spain Albert Vinyes /Barcelona Alex Navarro /Barcelona Ass. d’Actors i Directors de Catalunya Chapertons Circ Crac Clowns sans Frontieres Companyia d’Idiotes Cristina Garcia Borras /Barcelona David Berga Edu Rodilla Eric de Bont /Ibiza Escuela Comedia Ymimo Festiclown /Galicia Francisco Jesus Corona Gonzalo /Madrid Guillem Alba Institut de Teatre /Barcelona Johnny Xod Leandre Ribera Los Excentricos Lucas Trapaza /Madrid Mechita Dinamita Dinamita Minervino Hagmann /Barcelona Monti & Cia Montse Majench Teatro Alfil Tortell Poltrona Tricycle /Barcelona Txus Martinez Peyrats /Barcelona UpaClown Escuela Victoria Alcaraz Yllana /Madrid Argentina Fabian Torrez Loco Brusca Mila Von Chobiak Nanny Cogorno Australia Alan Clay Tom Greder Tom Piccard Vincent Bruce Austria Alf Stowasser /Vienna Clinic Clowns Comicoedeon Festival /Kapfenberg Helen and Henri Brugat Belgium Clement Triboulet e Daniel Zaghet Colletif de Citrouille Elliot Yannick Hornez Brazil C.I.A. do Publico Clinic Clowns Juliana Dorneles Julio Brusco O Riso da Terra Festival Paulo Mattos |
Canada Fredrerico Boris Iuliani Slovakia Milan Sladek /Bratislava Colombia Jader Guerra Denmark Kai Bredholt (Odin Teatret) England Bluey Brattle Chris Lynam Leland Faulkner Les Bubb Natural Theater Nola Rae Finland Mona Ratalahti France Academie Fratellini Antoine de Caunes Christophe Dechavanne Franckie Diago Gaelle le Berre Gustav Parking Performance d’Acteur /Cannes Wessely Otto Germany Bastian Harmsen /Frankfurt George Ringswandl Ulik Gardi Hutter Holland Grada Perskins Johan Wellton Rene Kress Ireland Ray Grahm Italy Giovanna Bellina Boris Vecchio /Genova Ciccio Clown Collettivo Teatrale B. Brecht /Formia David Larible Endrius Colombaioni Enzo Polidoro Ferruccio Padula /Formia Francesco Carroli Fratelli Colombaioni Leo Bassi Lucchettino Marco Carolei Monica De Meo Paolo Nani Scuola de Romana Circo Sharavan Forte Totore Caggiari Valeria Campo /Genova |
Russia Alexey Mironova Anna Orlova Elena & Slava Polunin Fyodor Makarov Popov Slava Polunin Valeri Turilov Vanya Polunin New Zealand Jonathan Acorn Mike River Lynch Puerto Rico Payaso Chagy Scotland Johnny Mellville Switzerland Nana Divina Lolo Rossier Pierre Dubey /Geneve Robert Nortik /Geneve USA Amy Gorden (Amy G) Avner the Eccentric Ben Carney Bob Spence Bobby Semon Buffo Chip Bray Dean Kelly Derek Scott Eddie Rice Jr Greg DeSanto Hilary Chaplian Jef Johnson /N.Y. Joel Jeske John Gilkey John Towson Laura Herts Lee Jarratt Pat Cashin Pat Crosland Peter Petovsky Peter Shub Steve Hansen |