Send in the clowns...
If
you don't already know us, we are two theatre artists Ita
Fitzmahony (Ita is real person, not the skull ;-) and Carol Walsh. Ita is the director and co-creator of the
show and I, Carol, am the clown, creator and writer. We met back
in 2008 when we were working on a very non-clown project. However,
quite quickly we realised we had a shared passion for the red nose
and have been working and training together since.
Over
a year ago, I nervously approached Ita about creating a brand new
clown show. We
had just finished our Clown through Mask training
and I really wanted to create something based on what we had
learnt. Thankfully, Ita said yes. What began as a 10 minute cabaret piece about a clown who performed some
of the most famous moments in Shakespeare developed into the show
that is now called OutRAGEous Fortune. The show is about a clown, Dolores, who is completely obsessed with Shakespeare. Her ultimate dream is to perform on stage at the Globe Theatre. Of course, life doesn't quite go according to plan... Last year we presented a first
draft in Smock Alley Theatre as part
of Collaborations Festival. We got a really great
response and now we want to do it again... but this time even better.
Since
that experience, Dolores clown has taken on a life of her own...
She's been harassing me to continue to tell her story and to bring it to as many people as possible. For
that purpose, we are launching a crowdfunding campaign to help us
bring Dolores back to Smock Alley Theatre for three
nights this April, 12th -14th. Your support would really help us to
elaborate and fine tune the show, develop our following and present it to other theatre professionals. We have both loved working on this show and it means a lot to us both personally and professionally to make and present the best version of it we can.
More
about us:
I
am a clown and theatre maker. At the age of six, I had the
first inkling that I wanted to be a clown and aside from a few detours have pursued that path. I've studied at Lispa, a
physical theatre school based on the pedagogy of Jacques Lecoq, and
also with the brilliant Sue Morrison in Clown through Mask.
For the last 6 years I have worked creating, performing and
facilitating clown based performances and workshops.
Ita
is a performer, writer and great storyteller. She has trained in
the Gaiety School of Acting and with the two world
renowned clown teachers Philippe Gaulier and Sue Morrison. Recently,
Ita wrote and performed in her own one woman show, Fabulous
Females. She has also performed in numerous short films and
plays in Dublin and further afield.
Dolores'
Dowry
So,
to put the show on Dolores needs to bring a dowry. €800 worth of
a dowry to be exact. What exactly will this go towards I hear you
say:
-
A
percentage will go towards the venue costs.
-
5
days worth of rehearsal space (we have another five arranged with
the support of Fringe Lab).
-
Photography,
poster design & Print.
In
return, aside from being eternally grateful, we will be offering some great creative rewards including messages of thanks,
selfies, postcards and even performances personally from Dolores. There will also be some
discounts on tickets and workshops.
This
great stage of fools
What is the value of clown and this show today?
The clown expresses all aspects of themselves with authenticity - all their joy, rage, sorrow, beauty, disappointment... They share their vulnerability, their beautiful imperfections and humanity while maintaining a certain playfulness about their life/ predicament. By doing this, and connecting with the audience in this truth, they give them permission to recognise and express their own humanity. Now more than ever people need to be truly seen and acknowledged. This is the role of the clown.
OutRAGEous Fortune is about ambition, enthusiasm and the desire to live our dreams. It's also about the frustration and disappointment we feel when things aren't quite going to plan. In a world that sometimes only seems to value perfection and worldly success, Dolores gives a voice to our struggles in a really fun, honest and entertaining way.
Nothing
will come of Nothing
What
if you can't donate right now? Don't worry, we totally understand.
What you can do is help share this campaign or details of the show
the show itself. And of course most importantly come along and
see us in April. Whatever way you can support us we are very
grateful.
