Theatre / Family Theatre
The Weston Studio hosts Flibbertigibbet theatre’s family show without words
Flibbertigibbet Theatre are makers of visual and physical theatre that is influenced by clowning, comedy, and inflected with both levity and darkness.
Their new, wordless production The Farmer and the Clown is currently on tour in an array of different spaces in the south west, from village halls in the Forest of Dean and Somerset to Bristol Old Vic’s Weston Studio, where it will be resident for a four day run over half term.
The show is an adaptation of Marla Frazee’s picture book, aimed at children of 3+, in which a baby clown is taken in by a lone farmer after an accidental fall from a circus train.
is needed now More than ever
Flibbertigibbet director Stevie Thompson spoke to Bristol24/7 about what made Frazee’s work so ripe for adapting for the stage.
For you, what is it that makes this show such a timeless, universal story?
“At its heart, the story is about unlikely friendships. What happens when someone from a different world, lands (quite literally!), in the world of another? It playfully explores how an unexpected encounter can offer new possibilities as well as challenges. It’s about seeing your own world through fresh eyes. It is a story for all ages. It’s about kindness. Now, as much as at any other time, this feels very important.”
How does the rehearsal process help to shape the production? Does your initial vision evolve as you see it played out?
“The rehearsal process is a joy. There is a beautiful storyboard (the original book), where each picture offers a starting point to devise from. We were lucky to have a development process last year, which has helped us find some of the ways we want to tell the story theatrically. We are working with a wonderful movement director, who will be bringing some fun dance sequences, including one with pancakes!
“A musician will be accompanying the action, including adding some sound effects along the way. I have always loved playing with scale, so we are using puppetry in some sections, hopefully to touching and comic effect. We run a rehearsal room where everyone can share their ideas. It is a place to be playful, so though we have some wonderful starting points, there is always space for surprise.”
What inspired you about The Farmer and the Clown to adapt it for the stage?
“I have had the book for a number of years, and I was drawn to the beautiful, simple storytelling of Marla Frazee’s wonderful illustrations. There is such richness and detail in the story without a word being written.
“The book shows how enriching a friendship across age and life experience can be. During lockdown, I was aware of how children were separated from their grandparents and older members of the community and how those connections were being lost. I wanted to create a show that audiences of all ages could share and enjoy together in the same space.”
Can you describe the challenges and opportunities afforded by making a wordless show?
“I am inspired by silent movies, particularly Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid, which despite being over 100 years old, can still make audiences laugh and cry. (We are delighted we happen to be opening our show in Bristol at the same time as the Slapstick Festival). So much can be communicated through body language, without the need for words.
“Creating this show allows us to explore a vocabulary of movement that can be funny, gentle, silly and sad, as we meet these two very different characters and watch their developing friendship.
“Without words, the show can also reach a wider audience. We are working a visual language consultant who will be ensuring that the physical language created for the storytelling is clear and accessible for all audiences, including those who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
“During the development process, we showed some of the piece to a primary school audience, including two children who spoke no English, as they had just arrived from the Ukraine. As language was not an issue, they were able to share the experience with their classmates, an important moment in their settling into a new community.”
What do you hope audiences will take away from the show?
“I hope that they feel uplifted by a heartwarming story! I hope they care for both characters and they continue to think about what might happen next. I hope that they are inspired to think about connecting with different people, even without the use of words. And, if nothing else, they’ll have a good recipe for pancakes!”
The Farmer and the Clown (age recommendation 3+) is at The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic on February 14-17; times vary. Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
All photos: Paul Blakemore
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