Culture Editor Sabrina Hau and Staff Writer Lamisa Worthy attend the London Clown Festival’s opening cabaret as the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary, reviewing an evening of inventive performances and speaking to founder Henry Maynard about the festival’s growth.
When most people hear the word ‘clown’, they imagine the red-nosed and handkerchief-wielding figure. But the London Clown Festival (LCF) breaks such stereotypes in the best way possible.
Founded in 2016 as a celebration of physical comedy and contemporary clown performance, the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Running from 30 May to 13 July, LCF brings some of the most talented and diverse performers to centre stage for an entertaining night out.
The show largely hinged on audience interactions, including an opening “hymn, herm and a theymn”, followed by an audience-participation poem that was revisited as the night progressed. MC Lara Ricote certainly stole the show. Her enthusiasm for the role was evident in her passionate remarks and energetic tone.
The opening cabaret performance showcased some of the most anticipated acts appearing at this year’s festival. The line-up included:
Ella the Great
Walking first onto the stage was a magician carrying a large briefcase and a stool. Her use of obvious “magic” tricks to amuse the audience was reminiscent of a childish act, infusing her segment with nostalgia. Although her material was sparse, it acted as a good appetiser to the following acts.
Piotr Sikora
Perhaps one of the best performances of the night, Sikora’s act combined history with satire. Audience interaction was at the forefront of his set, including choosing an audience volunteer to accompany him with sound effects for a mock battle and a gentleman’s “drinking” game. His use of props such as a fake horse head, party poppers to mimic gunfire, and spoons to mimic the clash of swords provoked hysterical laughter. If there was one phrase that captured his performance, it would be “hilariously unique”.
The Sonic Joy Orchestra
This iconic duo, including Tom Penn and LCF co-founder Dan Lees, intersects clowning and musical joy, providing an improvised musical set accompanied by costume changes. The talented double bass and electric guitar playing brought rhythmic charm to the performance, creating an energetic atmosphere that compelled audience members to sing along.
Maya Ricote
If the image is any indication, this act capitalised on satirical body humour to convey several dramatic sets. She performed a scene as a “bad actress” reacting to the death of her husband, like a monologue right out of a telenovela. The height of the performance was the technical effects, as she used a mechanism to create the illusion of crying a literal pool of tears. So much so that she had to put down a towel beforehand.
Julia Masli
Masli had a very literal take on “stand-up comedy”. Using the audience’s palms as a makeshift pathway to the back of the stands, she certainly climbed the ranks among the evening’s performances. The second part of her set hinged on audience assistance to film a motivational speech for her crush. Using props like balloons and a gimmicky VHS camera, Masli’s energy certainly left a lasting impression.
Closing-Opening Ceremony
The night ended with a parade-like conclusion celebrating all the acts and setting a hopeful tone for the rest of the festival. The house band provided a musical accompaniment to the poem we wrote during the show, and MC Ricote took a final bow to conclude the ceremony.
If the lineup does not inspire you, perhaps the audience would. One audience member said, “I loved the show, and the Sonic Joy Orchestra was definitely a highlight for me. I would 100% visit again.” Another remarked, “This was our first LCF show. It was nothing as I expected, but in the best way possible.”
Founder Henry Maynard sat in the front row, his contagious laughter carrying throughout the theatre. When asked about his motivations for creating the festival, he explained, “This was a way to bring individual clowning talent together in a way that showcases their unique performances. We really wanted to raise visibility and provide a platform for clowns to progress and inspire.”
Reflecting upon its 10th year, Maynard added, “I am continually amazed at this foundation’s evolution. We began performing at a parking lot behind Manor House, but now, being about to perform at venues such as Jackson Lane and Soho Theatre demonstrates our growth and reach in the clown community.”
All glory to clowning!
More information about the festival, including tickets and the full programme, can be found on the London Clown Festival website: https://www.londonclownfest.online/
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