Review: "Clown at Work"

Konrad.Marshall

August 23, 2008 by Konrad.Marshall | Staff

0 votes

Clown at Work

What: A one-man physical comedy performance by Vermonter Brent McCoy, featuring circus skills, limited audience participation and the misadventures of one sweet clown.

Where: Theatre on the Square -- Main Stage, 627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis.

Schedule: Sunday, Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 30 at 1:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 31 at 10:30 p.m.

An usher wandered into the theater and apologized for the delay. Something about technical difficulties.

"We're waiting on an electrician," she said. "He should be along shortly."

The audience groaned, shifted in their seats, wondering if things had gone to pot with the organization of IndyFringe. Then the electrician appeared.

To be specific, Brent McCoy "Clown at Work" appeared, shuffling in from stage left, carrying a toolbox full of tricks, a cheeky grin on his face, eyes wide with wonder. From that moment on, the savior of an imaginary electrical malfunction had the crowd on his side.

The act had all the staples of physical comedy: juggling, balancing, and slight of hand, but it was the way McCoy combined his talents with an innocent-yet-sneaky and charming-yet-naïve persona that made his show a delight.

McCoy's clown, costumed perfectly in over-sized britches and suspenders (which later became part of the action, was at once coy and brash. He wandered into the audience at random moments just to rub someone's hair (or bald scalp), but his adventures felt far from intrusive. (It's hard to feel like prey when your hunter is wearing an ear-to-ear grin and an orange construction helmet worn backwards.)

One moment he was falling over, crying and asking an audience member to kiss his boo-boo, the next he was handing out candy and combs.

"People's reactions are a really huge part of the show," McCoy said Saturday night, with kids sometimes interacting a little too much.

"The only thing about that is that they become targets," he said, laughing. "And sometimes you have adults like that, too, which is even better."

Posted in groups: IndyFringe

Forum: Talk

Tags: 

Fringe Festival, indy theatre, indianapolis art scene, indy culture, indianapolis culture, indianapolis theatre

Follow this thread

0 comments

or register to leave a comment.

Logo_colophon Print_logo

© 2008 The Indianapolis Star Media Group.
All rights reserved.

Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, updated December 2008.

Partners
The Indianapolis Star Media Group