LIVING

The organisation Pallassos sense Fronteres (Clowns without Borders), which has worked in refugee camps and conflict zones in many parts of the world, began in 1993 in Barcelona. And there are annual clown gatherings here like the Festival Internacional de Pallassos in Cornellà, the 13th edition of which was held last November. It was dedicated to the first great Catalan clown, Charlie Rivel (1896-1983), who was a huge name in 20th-century circus clowning and hailed from nearby Cubelles. Clowns from all over Europe showed up to strut their stuff.

Then there is the International Festival of Female Clowns, which takes place every two years in Andorra, and promotes the women who perform in a traditionally male-dominated industry. It was inaugurated in May 2001, organised by a big name in female clowning, Pepa Plana, who has been performing here since the Nineties.

More recently, Barcelona clowning has become synonymous with Jango Edwards, a Michigan-born clown who settled in the city after a number of years spent living in London. Edwards said there is a real need in the world for people to make others laugh. “I’ve been around a long time. I’ve never seen it so bad. Clowns have the ability to stand up to society’s rules, and thus say something about humanity. Clowns are outlaws. You know why? What laws are there really in life? There are only the laws of nature. Other than that, all the laws are made to control you.”

The word ‘clown’ makes a regular appearance on theatre bills in Barcelona, but for a good handful of these shows there is not a balloon or a child in sight. The Almazen in Raval and the Teatreneu in Gràcia are just two of the venues that have been happy to support the recent growth in adult clown shows. For over a year, the Almazen—a funky theatre with a burlesque vibe—has made clown shows a regular feature of its programming and even showcased clowning at its summer ALMaritím festival at the Museu Maritím, at the distinctly adult-orientated time of 11.30pm. Meanwhile Teatreneu recently played host to Las Gallegas, a darkly humorous double act of female clowns, produced by Barcelona-based Clownfish.