Home. You know where it is when you’re there.
An old hard-working farmer lives alone.
A baby clown bounces off a passing circus train in the middle of nowhere, now separated from family and friends.
Unsure what to do, the farmer takes the clown home.
Can a friendship span the generations? Can old dogs learn new tricks? Can the young clown find its way home?
The Farmer and The Clown is a story of an unexpected friendship for all ages, told through physical comedy and dance, and performed with an original live soundtrack by JOW.
(Production shots – Weston Studio, The Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Credit: Edward J Felton)
Marla Frazee is a multiple award-winning American author and Illustrator. Her book, The Boss Baby was an animated hit for DreamWorks in 2017.
“Joyful, tender and triumphant, without a word spoken, this is storytelling at its finest” (Book Review, The Farmer and The Clown, The Washington Post).
Flibbertigibbet Theatre retell this charming story through silent comedy, movement, slapstick and live music. The story delicately explores themes of loneliness, friendship, and care, across the divisions of age and community.
“Utterly heartwarming and relatable……What Flibbertigibbet have created is a beautiful, simple, and charming piece of theatre, suitable for all.” (Review, Kyran Wood – Bristol 24/7, Feb 2024)
Marla Frazee is an American author and illustrator. Her work includes Boss Baby, which was made into films by Dreamworks & 20th Century Fox
The Farmer and The Clown is performed by 2 actors, accompanied a musician with a newly composed score by JOW. The show is for audiences of all ages, particularly aiming to bring communities together. Performed without words, and working with a visual language & BSL consultant, the show will be accessible to non-English speaking audiences, as well as Deaf/HOH.
The show will be approx 50 mins long, with the offer of post-performance creative activities for all age groups to engage with together. Designed to play in village & school halls and studio theatres.
Touring to studio theatres and rural touring venues in Spring 2024 ( see the front page of our website –bit.ly/3TLeNRP )
We are currently developing a tour for Autumn 2024 / Spring 2025. For further information or to book a performance for your venue, please contact Stevie: info@flibbertigibbettheatre.co.uk
Development:
In 2022 we worked with Wyldwood to explore this beautiful, wordless book with community groups in The Forest of Dean and a care home in Hereford.
“Great entertainment for 0-100 years. Makes you laugh and tugs at the heartstrings. ”
(audience member, Scratch performances The Farmer and The Clown, St Braivel’s Community Centre, Forest of Dean 2022)
