Quebec clowns Rémi Jacques and Jean-Félix Bélanger are on a mission to get us to fall in love with clowns again – trying to undo the damage done by horror movies like It. Their family show Brotipo, which starts its farewell world tour at the Edinburgh Fringe, is designed to offer all the magic of Big Top clowns – bright costumes, acrobatics, tricks and lots of silliness – in an intimate venue. We spoke to the French-Canadian duo and asked them about the show and what makes a true clown.
Circus clowns are superhumans
Everyone used to love clowns, have horror movies damaged that?
Unfortunately yes … and a lot. That’s why we put in extra work to refine the costumes, makeup, characters and stories in our show. We make sure that a relationship is created with the crowd and fill it with tenderness, positivity and humour of course. By bringing a high-quality clown form to the stage, we want to change the public’s vision of this art.
Why is the circus clown tradition so fascinating for you?
Circus clowns are superhumans; they can juggle and do acrobatics at the same time that they tell a story – they make people laugh and bring joy. That’s the challenge for Brotipo, to present a lot of circus skills as well as guiding the spectator in a friendship tale that speaks to everyone.
Why you are on such a mission to revive the magic of the Big Top clown?
To bring back the festive energy of it. It’s colourful, joyful and highly acrobatic. Now in a smaller tent, we keep this atmosphere with a better connection with the public. A closer interaction that allows the families to fully live an energising experience.
What is it that makes clowns so good for entertaining children?
Our clown duo shows two distinctive characters to which the children and the parent can relate. One is more playful, rebellious and creative. The other is more rational, careful, and agile. Plus the clowns have a liberty to defy all sorts of rules: they can spray water at each other, play games with big brooms; they can shout and dance any time they like. That’s always entertaining!
What defines a true clown?
It’s about assuming and sharing your vulnerability. On stage you magnify your qualities and flaws to create an honest relationship with the spectator. A true clown performs in the present moment, interacting with what and who is around him in a tender way. In Brotipo, the crowd is part of the show and have an impact on the reactions of our clowns, we always need to be aware of what’s going on and adapt to create a unique moment.
