I must say this is the funniest thing I have seen in a very long time. Three guys mucking about, wrapped into a comedy show and interacting with the audience as a prelude to a spell at the Edinburgh Fringe, this summer.
Wimbledon theatre only holds enough seats for an audience of 66 so it was a cosy event. As you arrive you are greeted by the rest of the audience and the cast shouting “Welcome to the King’s birthday”. You knew that this was going to be raucous before it even got off the ground.
We have come to join the King’s birthday party, but sadly the king doesn’t make it and like all good medieval tales, there are candidates vying for the throne not just the prince seeking his birthright.
They have borrowed from Shakespeare, Shrek, Blackadder, The Price is Right and many other sources; they have chopped and pasted ideas and turned it into slapstick comedy. If you want a taste of everything you’ll find it here; a horse, crones, dragons, oracles, barbarians, prostitutes, torture, spin the wheel and cream (don’t ask!) We laughed through the whole performance. The audience was encouraged to participate and at times there was a lot of ad-libbing which made it even more ludicrous.
The Bad Clowns are three real life guys, apparently friends; Sam, Christian and John. This trio have been performing various shows all around the country, so have been perfecting their specific brand of comedic performance for a while. If you are easily offended I don’t advise you go and see this as it contains strong language and sensitive themes. But if you’re like the audience, you’ll love it and join in. You definitely need audience participation and unwilling volunteers to make this show as successful and as crazy as it is. This show will make your face ache. Almost anything fairytale based needs an idiot, a baddie and a poor servant. This is how the Bad Clowns have set their performance, but they do take on other roles as needed to tell the story. There are lots of twists and turns and tasks in order to discern who will be crowned king. However, it is up to the audience to decide the fate of the crown. Each contender sets out their stall and you are invited to vote. It could go any of three ways and apparently it can change from one performance to another.
Cristian’s sister Joanna created the posters and managed the sound and lighting and John created the pennants. All of which added to the fun and helped move the show along at a very fast pace. There was a lot of ambience needed for the storytelling, although nothing of a big scale and the use of flashing lights set the stage and helped with the scenes. It was a basic set, and the only scenery was the pennants representing the three suitors.
This show at Wimbledon Theatre Studio was for one night only. I wish The Bad Clowns success as they head towards Edinburgh for the Fringe, this summer.
You can follow them on Instagram – badclownscomedy
Playing Future dates - ACT Theatre, Kingston, Saturday 5th July, Edinburgh fringe Wednesday 30th July – 17th August.
Reviewer - Penny Curran
On - 14th June 2025
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