Friday, May 13, 2011

Mump & Smoot; Clowning for Coulrophobic's

For my first non music related post on this site, I thought I would share my thoughts on what is perhaps the biggest (yet most low key) artistic event in Calgary right now, one of the most heart warming and stomach churning, hilarious things ever to grace a stage. I'm talking, of course, about Mump & Smoot, the clown duo from hell who are currently closing their latest show, Cracked, at Alberta Theatre Projects this weekend.



I'll spare you a history lesson on these two, as I am not really the one to ask. I experianced the wack world of Ummo and the two brothers who inhabit it for the first time a little under a month ago, at the Martha Cohen Theatre; an odd place to be introduced to Mike Kennard (Mump) and John Turner's(Smoot) creations, since it is hinted at being one of their final shows as the clowns. But hey, at least I got to see the two onstage. And my young mind and heart just wont be the same.

It's always lovely to see masters of a craft at work, but it's even more lovely when you, the audience, can be brought in to it so easily and remarkable, getting sucked into the world created to the point where you don't want to leave. Such is the great thing about Mump and Smoot; rather then detach you and make you feel like an audience in the literal sense, you feel as if you are right there in the moment with them. Its the difference between watching two parents fight onstage in a play, and watching two parents fight one another at the local Wal Mart; for better or worse, you connect to these people.




Yes, Mump and Smoot are "people." They have emotions, they have doubts, they have hopes. Clowning in general may be about the vulnerability we all have and hide, but what sets Mump and Smoot apart is that they do not rely simply on gags and disturbing imagery to affect you. They're objective isn't just to make you laugh; it is to touch your heart, and connect with you in a way that high minded, artsy fartsy "theatre" cannot. If you hate clowns in the general sense, you will love Mump and Smoot. And this, I believe, is there greatest triumph.

Its a little late in the game, but if you can catch Mump and Smoot this weekend, please do. You might not get the chance again. They will be playing at the Martha Cohen Theatre until this Sunday.

- Nathan

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