The short of it…
I have been working in the performing arts professionally for 35 years, across the fields of Circus, Dance, Improvisation and Contemporary Performance. Both solo and with companies in the British Isles and Australia as a Contemporary Clown, Physical Theatre Actor, Dancer, Aerialist and Juggler variously in Arts Festivals, Street Festivals, Theatres, Big Top Circus and commercial entertainment.
And the long of it….
My most recent work, One Man Shoe, Directed by Gerry Mulgrew, a contemporary theatre clown show for families, notched up 140+ performances across 110 venues, in small scale theatres and on the Rural Touring network, 2016-19.
Since the mid 90’s I have done in depth research, training and performance in Dance, Improvisation and Contemporary Performance. I have been an ongoing lead performer in the Dance Theatre works of Angus Balbernie and a featured performer in Janis Claxton Dance, Human Zoo series. This developed into the role of Dramaturg with Janis Claxton Dance, as well as Performance & Rehearsal Director for POP Up duets.
This led me, along with the wealth of experience in various body and performative techniques to pursue an MA in Directing Circus and Performance from which I graduated in March 2021 with a distinction.
I am currently researching and developing work around Grief and Living in Present Absence. In particular exploring embodied absence and disembodied presence.
This has been informed by Covid restrictions, working with performers online and integrating these video performers into live performance. I have a primary interest in the expressiveness of the whole human through emotionally embodied movement in cogent theatrical contexts.
Clive Andrews CV 2023
The last few years…
2023
Arthropoda – Paper Doll Militia, creation and performance at Manipulate Festival 2023. Dramaturg | Mentor
2022
Something Happened – Director/Creator/Performer
Residency at Dance Base. Supported by Creative Scotland
EGG – Paper Doll Militia. Restaging for touring-Director
Paper Doll Militia Residency at Dance Base– Mentor
Niamh O’Loughlin – The Changeling Wife – Mentor
Something Happened – Solo version, Directed by Angus Balbernie. Hidden Door. Creator/Performer
Threaded Fine – Rosemary Lee – SDT/Dance North – Performer
2021
Master of Arts, MA Directing Circus and Performance (Distinction) Circomedia/Bath Spa University
#trolleyscores & saints – Skye Reynolds solo.What Moves You? Director input
Field – Curious Seed. EIF- Performer
Paper Doll Militia Residency at Citymoves – Mentor
A Wire Apart- Paper Doll Milita. EdFringe Online. Stage Director
Something Smashing- Dancebase, EdFringe. Performer
Circus Village – No Fit State . Residency
Space/Time– Illuminate/Magnetic North. Residency.
2020
A Wire Apart Paper Doll Militia, Director
2016-19
One Man Shoe, Solo Clown Theatre show. Supported by Creative Scotland and OnFife. Performed 140+ shows across UK & Ireland. Creator, Performer, Producer and Tour Manager. Directed by Gerry Mulgrew
2018-19
POP Up duets Herald Angel Award Dramaturg, Rehearsal Director and Tour Manager. International Tour to Europe, Asia and Australasia
SOduLOet Residency at Dance Base with Skye Reynolds & Angus Balbernie
2015/6
POP Up duets Made in Scotland. Dramaturg and Performance Director
2005 to the present based in Edinburgh
Jango Starr 100+ Clown Shows each year. Private and commercial including at the 10th Anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, Commonwealth Games Glasgow, Leicester and Glasgow Comedy Festivals, Kidfest, DanceAmazing.
The Lighthouse Keeper solo clown show. 20+ date tour in Scotland 2007/8 created with assistance of Scottish Arts Council, NEAC and Dance Base. Directed by David WW Johnstone, Lazzi Experimental Arts Unit
White Magic, Solo Cabaret, Spiegeltent, Christmas season, Edinburgh 2008
Jolly Jango Christmas, Solo Clown, Spiegeltent, Christmas season, Edinburgh 2008
At the Drop of a Hat solo children’s theatre. Supported by Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre. 2010
One Man Shoe, Solo Clown Theatre show. Supported by Creative Scotland and OnFife, 2016-19. Performed 140+ shows across UK & Ireland
For Janis Claxton Dance
Enclosure 44 – Zoo Keeper- Performer/Dramaturg/Deviser/Stage Manager. Herald Angel Award 2008
HUMAN ANIMAL Zoo Keeper- Performer/Dramaturg/Stage Manager. Shanghai Expo (British Council), IETM Glasgow. 2010
ENCLOSURE 99 – Zoo Keeper- Performer/Dramaturg/Stage Manager. 2011
HUMANIMALIA Dramaturg, 2011
POP Up duets Dramaturg. Made in Scotland. 2015/6
POP Up duets Dramaturg, Rehearsal Director and Tour Manager. 2018-19. Herald Angel Award
For Angus Balbernie
Materials for a Small Winter Lead role, Angus Balbernie CCA Glasgow supported by DanceHouse 2008
Meatyard Meat Me Lead role, Angus Balbernie CCA Glasgow, supported by DanceHouse 2008
The Lining of Bees Lead role, Angus Balbernie. Commissioned by The Bluecoat, Liverpool and supported by Dance House Glasgow. 2009
Slanted DanceBase, Edinburgh 2014
And…
Aurora Borealis Lazzi Experimental Arts Unit, 2007/08. Edfringe 08 at Dance Base
Transmission Performer for Imaginate Artist in Residence Skye Reynolds, National Museum of Scotland 2012
2000-2004 based in Bristol
Jango Starr solo clown 100+ Clown Shows each year. Private and commercial . For among others Cirque Bijou, Crowd Pullers and Missing Link.
Out to Lunch solo clown show, Royal Parks London, Bristol Harbourside Festival, Ripley and Scuff CITV
Taking the Mic Solo Cabaret, including WOMAD Festival, Bristol Harbourside Festival, Yorkshire Comedy Festival.
Dance Theatre Productions for Angus Balbernie
On the Lining Of Bees Lead role, Tobacco Factory supported by ACE
We Have Eaten Like Birds QEH, Bristol, supported by Dance Services, BADA, Bath Spa Univ.
51 Solos/Disguises of Weather Tobacco Factory & Dartington Hall
And…
Souvenir Directed by Adele Levi & Barry Moon. Supported by SWA and Arts and Humanities Research Board. Michael Tippett Centre, Bath Spa Univ.
Lake Odyssey core team member, 4 month community arts project, deviser, workshop leader and performer. North East Somerset Arts.
Keynsham Music Festival Production Manager, North East Somerset Arts 2002
1990-99 – Australia
Artistic Direcor Vertigo, Aerial, Physical Theatre & Mask company. ‘90 -94. Funded by NSW Ministry of the Arts.
SpinFX included runs at Sydney Festival 92 & 93, Brisbane Festival 93, Adelaide Fringe 93, Australian Museum 92 and numerous local festivals & commercial events.
Chasing the Tale commedia dell’arte, Baal Mask and Circus Show. Sydney Festival ‘94
And…
The Homage core team member. Outdoor site specific event funded by NSW Ministry of the Arts, ‘92
Montana Circus Big Top, Sydney Tour 1994. Featured act as aerialist, clown and juggler
Jango solo clown, 100’s of walkabout performances 1994-99.
Stan the Handyman, Walter Park Ranger, Mo the Hobo, Commissioned characters for commercial clients and theme park.
Out To Lunch solo clown show 1996-99
Universal Lake core team member. Outdoor community spectacle funded by NSW and ACT Ministries of The Arts,’96
Bon Appetit, comedy waiters duo (9 month residency at Sydney Harbour Casino)’97
The Mens Room, Devised physical theatre performance for 3 men’98
Dance improvisation performer with Janis Claxton and Helen Clarke-Lapin 95-99 in numerous settings.
UK 1988
Snapdragon Circus Big Top tour, England. Performing in ensemble and featured as juggler and aerialist.
Skinning the Cat, premier, Bradford 1988.
Training
Master of Arts, MA Directing Circus and Performance (Distinction) Circomedia/Bath Spa University
Fool Time, The U.K. Centre for the Performing Arts and Circus Skills, Bristol.
Tutors included Frankie Anderson, John Lee and Bim Mason.
I have also studied;
Clown and Le Jeu with Philippe Gaulier and Sian Newey
Clown with Avner Eisenberg
Mask with Sian Newey
Aerial with the Palacy’s /Circus Oz and Sue Broadway
Outdoor Spectacle with Boris Howarth/Welfare State
Contemporary Dance and Improvisation with Janis Claxton
Contact Improvisation with Helen Clarke Lapin
Composition and Devising with Angus Balbernie
Improvisation with Al Wunder, Katy Duck, Andrew Morrish, Sten Rudstrom
Acting with David WW Johnstone
Stand Up Comedy with Mandy Nolan
Teaching
I have taught Dance, Clowning, Circus Skills and Physical Theatre in numerous educational and community settings. Including for Dance Base Edinburgh, Dance Centre Bristol, Bath and North Somerset Arts, National Academy of Dramatic Art, Sydney.
SOME REVIEWS
‘We’re talking classic clown, here, and Jango Starr is a master of that art…a subtly sophisticated framework that allows the naive simplicity of his character to triumph over ongoing adversity…Starr’s flair and expertise captivates, we’re knocked out by him!’
Mary Brennan, The Herald **** One Man Shoe
“Clive Andrews is a clown and mime artist who turns effort into ease and laughter. The real joy of this show lies in the physical fun, comic humour, sheer energy and enthusiasm plus circus skills – balancing, juggling, pratfalls – turning all his effort into ease and laughter. A new force has entered Scottish theatre!” Dr. Malcolm Knight, FRSA Executive Director, Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre. The Lighthouse Keeper
“LET’S not mess about: everything about POP-UP Duets is inspired. This is, at every level, a richly inventive, wonderfully perceptive work, danced with a persuasive humanity” Mary Brennan, The Herald ***** POP-UP Duets, Janis Claxton Dance
“Clive Andrews is a genuine, finely tuned craftsman in the art of clowning. He fills the theatre with warmth and charismatic charm. There are no cheap gimmicks, just perfectly timed clowning and expert story-telling.”
Morag Deyes MBE, Artistic Director, Dancebase, The Lighthouse Keeper
“Clever juggling with hats, shoes, brollys, suitcases and even chairs. Proper traditional slapstick, perfectly timed silent comedy all mixed with juggling give us the old-fashioned belly laughs frequently missing in modern shows.” **** One4review
“Shambling onto the stage is Clive Andrews, an audience favourite. Utilising few props, Andrews keeps things simple, his juggling act the most complicated part of a segment that appeals to all ages.” **** Evening News
“Hapless clown Clive Andrews manages to make the most simple procedures laughably complex.” **** The Scotsman
“An extraordinary performer, a very funny Clown with a liquid and poetic performance style.” Theatre Bristol. Out to Lunch
“A dazzling sense of lit-up wonderment that visibly grows – as if they were seeing the Aurora Borealis – and that joie de vivre is mirrored, literally and metaphorically, in moments of shared delight that include us all” The Herald **** Aurora Borealis