Not Just For Laughs

Clown Me In promises to introduce people to the clown in them.

Clowning is about freedom. Clowns are free to laugh,cry,explore,show expertise or feign incompetence and succeed or fail in their endeavours. There are no inhibitions,and it is this aspect of their lives that is being highlighted by Sabine Choucair and Gabriela Munoz in a month-long workshop Discover The Clown Within Oneself,organised by Centre for Education and Voluntary Action (CEVA),that began on August 11. For us,clowning is humanity. It is associated with freedom and playfulness. In the workshop,we try to guide people to find these facets in themselves and enjoy them, smiles Mexico-based Munoz. She first met Lebanon-based Choucair in London,where both were pursuing their Masters in Performing Arts at the London International School of Performing Arts. After our studies,both of us felt that clowning changed something in our lives and gave us freedom and a voice. We thought it was appropriate to share our passion for clowning with the others, says Choucair.

Their first joint workshop that was held in Mexico in 2010 received rave reviews,and soon the duo established their project Clown Me In. Several performances followed thereafter,from Brazil to Mexico,Lebanon,Palestinian camps,Jordan,London,Spain,America and now India.

Harleen Kohli of CEVA points out that in new theatre clowning is an emerging concept and a clown can help the audience rediscover their inner qualities of openness,spontaneity and play. Clowning is inclusive and not restrictive, observes Kohli. Munoz agrees. She believes that a clown should not be associated with circus and there are different forms of clowning. When a person gets connected with his/her inner self,the mask that is worn for the society comes off. They accept who they are,as they are,say yes to life and enjoy being transparent, says Munoz. Choucair adds,The state of being is vulnerable and open to play,therefore people laugh when they recognise themselves. It has nothing to do with the idea of entertainment,it only shows how stupid we all are.

While the duo has already travelled to Dharampur and Ahmedabad,where they conducted a workshop at Gandhi Ashram,their next stop is Dehradun,where they will work with marginalised communities. Were looking forward to our performance Perhaps,Perhaps in Colombia,which is part of Clown Encuentro 2011. We have a hectic travel schedule,which includes visiting cities across the world, say the two.

The clown is within oneself,in the core of ones personality. Discovering it requires honesty. It is their characters unique thought-process that makes them a clown or a learner.

The clown lives in the moment. The world is a surprise,so he is in a constant state of surprise. The clown is very curious. This is how the learners mind should be open,spontaneous,present,clean, the duo sum up.

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