These are thoughts and ideas from a circus clown. I was mesmerized by the passion of his voice as he spoke over a cup of coffee.
To be a clown you must forget everything. To be a child again. As adults we have fixed opinions on everything, and decide what everything is and should be. A child has no knowledge of this. A clown will play over here, then get distracted and move over there – just like a child. A free form of unassociated thought.
The clown must move each time as if it is the first time. Reacting new to the nuances of timing in the moment.
A clown does not tell a story. The story is for the audience to tell. Each audience member has their own personal story to feel. And the clown must feel passion deep from his soul – he has no life in this world. It is all forgotten.
That is the gift of the clown.
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Which reminds me of one of my father’s favorite stories:
A man visits a doctor for depression. He says to the doctor: “I feel no happiness. No joy. I have only tears in this world. There is nothing that makes me feel the smile.”
The doctor assures him: “Son, you must then go see Paggliacci, the most famous clown in all the world. He makes all t he people smile and remember that there is still love in this world. Go see Paggliacci and you will feel joy once again.”
The man replies: “But doctor, I AM Paggliacci…..”