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Old Clown Wanted
By Matei Visniec
Translated by Alison Sinclair
Directed by Gregory A. Fortner
At Trap Door Theatre
1655 W. Cortland
Chicago, IL
Call 773-384-0494, tickets $20
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 PM
Running time is 85 minutes with no intermission
Through January 14, 2005
Note: this show will be performed in NYC Nov 29 thru Dec 4 as part of the ACT FRENCH festival.
“A true clown never laughs…” Nicollo from the Old Clown Wanted
Old Clown Wanted totally engaging pure absurdist comedy
Trap Door Theatre loves to present “challenging yet obscure works by unknown authors” and Romanian playwright Matei Visnies is a worthy discovery. Old Clown Wanted is in the best European Theatre of the Absurd tradition similar to Waiting For Godot. It is a show with a meaningless plot, filled with repetitive dialogue, on-and-off arguments as the three old Italian clowns find themselves in a black, windowless room waiting to audition for a clown part.
We meet Nicollo (Circus Szalewski), a vulnerable, insecure aging circus clown and Filippo (John Gray), the loud, sarcastic bulling intimidator, another ancient clown. He recognized Nicollo when Nicollo blows his noise. The two are old friends from the circus circuit in Italy and Eastern Europe. They bait and taunt each other, they hug and share a flask, then they argue some more. It becomes clear that each has severe anxiety and each fears rejection, poverty and the feeling of being useless in society. They ultimately want to win the competition for the clown gig.
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When their older clown mentor, Peppino (Bob Wilson) arrives, both old clowns are filled with apprehension when their teacher wants the same gig they’re after. Each tries to show off their clown bits. Peppino insists he is an actor and performs a Shakespearean-like dramatic monologue. Nicollo delivers a clever, physical challenging pantomime about a man who wakes up, dress, fall down stairs, walks to the grocery store, steals a melon, runs from the police, get beaten-up by them, but gets saved by the rain. This routine is terrific and Szalewski does it several time with amazing dexterity. But Filipo delivers the most effective bit when he brings out the little black magic box from his suitcase. With the help of the audience and a balloon on every seat, he lands his allusion deftly. Peppino demonstrates his acting prowess in a fake heart attack bit that has Nicollo and Filippo frantic. Is this show a reoccurring dream? You be the judge.
I enjoyed this existentialist play that has much physical comedy with emotionally vulnerable characters who build the dramatic tension as we try to figure out if this is dream a fantasy or a nightmare? All three performers had excellent moments. Circus Szalewski’s pantomime was terrific. John Gray’s emotional mood swings was effective and Bob Wilson’s eerie nastiness was chilling. (Wilson did yeoman clown work to greet us upon entering the theatre.)
This 85 minute one act flows quickly and smoothly as it keeps out full attention. Matei Visniec is a playwright steeped in the absurdist tradition who needs to be seen more on Chicago stages.
I was impressed with this fine piece. Clowns are like us, they fumble and fall through life and that is why we give them sympathy. The three clowns in this show sure are impressive.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Chicago Stage Talk Radio Show
This show eligible for a Non-Equity C.S.T. Theatre Award
November 18, 2005
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