David Anthony Anis, the director of Four Clowns presents The Halfwits’ Last Hurrah and Four Clowns’ Managing Director, answered some quick questions for @SeeItOrSkipItLA!
1.This show is part Vaudeville tribute. Who would you say are your biggest Vaudeville influences?
A: The show is definitely vaudeville-inspired, and I hope we pay some tribute to it. That era was an incredible time for performers; many ideas and routines happening today can be traced back to the vaudeville stage. The biggest vaudeville influence for me has been The Three Stooges. I grew up with them, as they were among the lucky few who successfully transitioned to film. Their jokes and routines have stood the test of time – they’re still as hilarious and brilliant now as they were in their hay-day. They’re the masters.
2.In your bio you say that one of your goals is to shine a light on humanity. What is it about physical comedy and clowning that helps you achieve that goal?
A: To me, clowning is like holding up a mirror to humanity. A clown is innocent, curious, truly honest, and open; a clown allows us to see ourselves in that figure standing onstage before us. We see an optimism we once proudly shared with the world – we see unashamed foolishness that can’t help but turn our mouths into a smile. Physical comedy is visceral and immediate. There’s an art to a good prat-fall, seeing performers who truly give all of themselves, emotionally, spiritually, and physically can be transformative. Physical comedy is nearly inseparable from that aggressive, naughty, and playful spirit that has defined our company.
3.What about your show makes it perfect for the Fringe?
A: It’s a fast-paced, hilarious, and revealing comedic look at what it means to be a struggling performer – a story, I’m sure, nearly all of us artists in the Fringe community can relate to. Something that makes this festival so dynamic and exciting is the shared passion for theatre and the desire to find new experiences. Our favorite audiences are the Fringe folks. They give great energy and playfulness to the performers, and that translates to an incredible experience onstage.
4.What do you hope the audience walks away with after your show?
A: I hope they walk away with their minds buzzing, with a fire roaring inside their hearts, their cheeks aching, their sides sore, and their pants wet from accidental laugh-induced urine.
5.What show, other than yours, are you most excited to see at the Fringe?
Timeheart the Musical
The Poe Show
King of Kong
Hamlet-Mobile
Shakespeare’s Last Night Out
Intrigued? You can see The Halfwits’ Last Hurrah on these days:
The Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Thursday, June 4 at 8:30pm
Saturday, June 13 at 10:30pm
Thursday, June 18 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, June 20 at 11:55pm
Tuesday, June 23 at 8:30pm
Friday, June 26 at 10:30pm
The show runs one hour with no intermission.
Okay fine, you can have a discount too!
$10 tickets to the first 4 shows with code clownfriend
For ticketing click here.
*As a special thank-you to all Fringers following my coverage, please enjoy 15% off purchases at In Heels Productions throughout the month of June. Use code HFF15 at checkout!