Clown show about authoritarianism
Daniel Nelson
Project Dictator is a “clown show about authoritarianism”. That’s a bold ambition, but amazingly it works.
There’s cloning and authoritarianism in both parts of this 75-minute, two-man production, but the raucous, knockabout comedy of the first half is startlingly different from the sinister state-sanctioned entertainment of the second.
Performers Julian Spooner and Matt Wells push the part 1 panto vibe to the limit, to the point where I began to find the slapstick and audience involvement tiresome. But there are real laughs and an underlying purpose.
Its significance becomes apparent in the unsettling change of mood when the lights go up on part 2 - as shocking a shift in tone as any production I can remember.
Spooner and Well become real Pierrot clowns, performing clever but tame routines for an unknown but threatening state. Zaniness has given way to rote.
It’s clever, original, entertaining, dark and, sadly, current. It’s not for everyone: tragic clowns are an acquired taste, even when they are subverting genres and demolishing fourth walls.
Oh, and did I say a two-man show? There are three, because Berlin-based Syrian musician Khaled Kurbeh is on stage playing his specially written electroacoustic score and finally joins the mayhem.
In addition, Spooner and Wells acknowledge “the invaluable and courageous contributions of 12 anonymous artists” from Syria, Venezuela, Brazil, Azerbaijan and Hungary “who have lived experience of making art under autocratic regimes”.
Post-show chats (with pizza!):
Thursday 14 April: Theatre and Resistance
In a time of rising authoritarianism, what is theatre’s role and relevance in resisting injustice and oppression? A dynamic array of artists from different contexts gathers for a timely discussion.
Emma Clark hosts Sînziana Cojocărescu, co-artistic director of BÉZNĂ Theatre; Isabella Leung, actor, writer, clown & finalist for the 2021 Women's Prize for Playwriting with her play A Bouffon Play About Hong Kong; and Hamish Macdougall, co-director of Project Dictator.
Tuesday 19 April: Comedy and Censorship
Humour - it can build bridges and bring down governments. Join an eclectic panel of comedians and clowns in unpacking the social and political role of art’s most dangerous tool.
Comedian and journalist Dom McGovern hosts Clowns Without Borders; Ray Campbell, comedian & Goldsmith's lecturer; and performers and Rhum + Clay co-artistic directors Julian Spooner and Matt Wells.
* Project Dictator is at the New Diorama Theatre, 15-16 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, NW1 until 30 April. Info: 7383 9034/ https://newdiorama.com/whats-on