Exploring the backstage

 
Participants watch on at a clowning workshop.
 

The liminal space of the clown’s world

Unveiling the mystery

Enter the fantastical domain of the clown's universe, and you'll find yourself captivated not only by the dazzling performances under the spotlight but also by the enigmatic world that lies just beyond the curtain – the backstage. A liminal space where reality and fantasy intersect, the backstage serves as the gateway between the stage and the outer world. In this hidden dimension, the clown, that whimsical and unpredictable figure, finds a home – a space where the unseen, the negative space of the clown, comes to life.

The backstage as a planet

Imagine the backstage as a celestial body, a planet orbiting the stage in a parallel universe. This is where the clown resides, navigating through a cosmos of red noses, exaggerated props, and vibrant costumes. The backstage is not just a physical space but a dimension filled with the echoes of laughter, the scent of greasepaint, and the anticipation of the performance yet to unfold.

As we explore the backstage, we delve into the very heart of the clown's universe – a place where transformation occurs. Here, the clown sheds the mask of normalcy and steps into a world of absurdity and paradox. The backstage becomes a playground where the laws of reality are bent, and the clown's essence is distilled.

The clown's habitat

Where does the clown live in this peculiar backstage planet? The answer lies in the interstitial spaces between costume racks and makeup tables, where chaos and creativity collide. The dressing room becomes a sanctuary, a cocoon in which the clown undergoes a metamorphosis, shedding the mundane and emerging as a fantastical being.

Within the backstage, the clown's habitat extends beyond the dressing room. It encompasses the narrow corridors adorned with faded posters from performances long past, the cluttered storage areas housing oversized props, and the secretive corners where laughter and camaraderie intertwine. This habitat is a reflection of the clown's spirit – colourful, unpredictable, and delightfully chaotic.

 
Participants dance at a clowning workshop.
 

A planet unto itself

The unseen silhouette

In the outer world, the audience witnesses the clown's larger-than-life silhouette under the spotlight. However, it's in the backstage's negative space that we discover the essence of the clown – a silhouette shaped by vulnerability, resilience, and a deep connection to the art of laughter.

The unseen silhouette is not just a physical form but a manifestation of the clown's inner world, a world that thrives on the tension between joy and melancholy. It's in these backstage moments that the clown grapples with the duality of their existence, finding beauty in the absurdity of life.

The backstage, a planet unto itself, is where the clown's journey truly begins. It is a space where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary, and reality gives way to fantasy. As we unravel the mysteries of the backstage, we gain insight into the soul of the clown – their laughter, their tears, and the vibrant, unseen silhouette that dances between the worlds of the stage and the outer reality.

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Reflecting on the Lecoq pedagogy