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Review
'I would recommend Simon's book to anyone -actor, director, or other theatre artist- who is eager to learn more about how to develop a clown. In the process, the emerging clown will inevitably discover a great deal about her/himself.' - Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism
'Eli Simon's The Art of Clowning, is a clear, practical and well thought-out guide for novice or aspiring clowns at the high school and university level. Simon brings together classic exercises with his own innovations in a progression that gives the student and teacher a clear path. Many exercises include specific references to great clown routines – with on-line sources, these references become an invaluable compliment to the text, a huge advantage for students of this very visual art form.'
-Jeff Raz, Founder and Director of the Clown Conservatory, San Francisco, USA, Lead Clown in Cirque du Soleil
'In The Art of Clowning, Eli Simon manages to capture the unique spirit of the clown. The techniques of clowning are clearly and precisely laid out with humor, passion, and a sense of emotional depth. I would recommend The Art of Clowning to any actor – it is an invaluable resource for movement and comedy skills in the context of clowning as an art form.'
-Henson Keys, Chair of Acting Program, University of Illinois Department of Theatre, USA
'Eli Simon has synthesized his vast catalog of clown teaching knowledge and laid it out for us in The Art of Clowning. It is an eminently useful book and an important resource for any teacher of theatre at any level. Simon is masterful in his articulation of the process of teaching clowning and deeply respectful of the clowning tradition that he pays homage to.'
-Charlie Oates, Professor of Theatre/Movement, University of California at San Diego, USA
'The Art of Clowning provides readers with a clear and empowering guide to the world of clowning. It provides sound advice and exercises for any actor, clown or not. This book is easy and fun to read, and is a useful addition to our field. I particularly appreciate the material on the clown's relationship to the audience, an area I consider much overlooked and of critical importance to any stage actor.'
-Sanford Robbins, Director of Professional Theatre Training Program, Chair of Theatre, USA
'The Art of Clowning is an invaluable training resource manual for would-be clowns in high school, college, and university classes; and in any number of clown festivals currently proliferating around the world. Simon, an internationally known director and teacher of acting with his own clown troupe, has given us a clear, straight-forward description of how to find one's "inner clown." This wonderful book betrays a passionate devotion to the importance of clown work, not only in creating clown characters, but also in helping actors transform themselves into any theatrical roles: from clowns and villains to heroines and tragic monarchs.'
-Michael Flachman, Professor of English and Director of The Hawk Honors Program at California State University, Bakersfield, USA
'The Art of Clowning positively vibrates with joy and inspiration. Simon'swriting is clear, spirited and accessible; even the table of contents is beguiling. His step-by-step instructions are designed for both a performer working alone or for a collaborative team of performer and trainer, and will guide even the shyest novice to discover her own unique clown personality.'
-Leslie Bennet, Professor of Movement, Department of Theatre and Film, University of Kansas, USA
'In The Art of Clowning Eli Simon beautifully articulates his thoughtful and systematic approach to the serious investigation of clowning. The clearly defined progression guides the reader to playfully and safely uncover his/her clown, and deepen creative, artistic expression.'
-Peter Hadres, Artistic Associate, Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts, USA
'Eli Simon - in his instruction, in his life's work and in The Art of Clowning – brings the depth and soul back to clowning that follows the lineage from Pierrot through Chaplin and Skelton. This book shows the purity and love of clowning. Simon reminds us why clowns are the very essence of theatre and why so much of good acting and storytelling is non-verbal. My only regret is that I didn't have a chance to be trained by Eli when I was young and learning. Every actor and writer should read this book!'
-Zoot Velasco, New Vaudeville Performer, Artistic Director, Muckenthaler Cultural Center, USA
'What a great resource for actors and performers! You will learn to create an intimate connection with your audience, find the stripped-down truth in your performances, and actually enjoy committing to failure! The Art of Clowning is your blueprint for finding and deepening your inner clown. There's something here for actors at every level; those just starting out and those of us who have been clowns for a while. This book is packed with fruitful exercises and illuminating information on the history and background of clowning.'
-Crista Flanagan, Actor/Comedienne, Star of 'Madd TV', USA
'Eli Simon's vast experience as a director, teacher, and clown trainer makes The Art of Clowning a joyful journey to one's inner clown - the soul of any performer. His exercises constitute an enlightening journey of self-discovery, a veritable roadmap to connecting with audiences of any size. Whether your ultimate goal is Shakespeare, modern theatre, film, or television, Simon's experienced, supportive, and humorous voice points you in the right direction.'
-Andrew Hill Newman, Producer/Writer, Head Writer "iCarly", USA
'Eli Simon's The Art of Clowning is the next best thing to having Simon in the room next to you when you are exploring the clown's world. Simon is direct and generous in opening up the whole spectrum of the clown to actors both experienced and novice. His natural zest and love for the actor as clown literally springs up from every page. Read this book, follow Simon's treasure trail and you will, you must be drawn into yours and others private and yet so public clown world.'
-Kevin Crawford, Director, Accademia dell arte, Arezzo, Italy
'Eli Simon's The Art of Clowning, is a clear, practical and well thought-out guide for novice or aspiring clowns at the high school and university level. Simon brings together classic exercises with his own innovations in a progression that gives the student and teacher a clear path. Many exercises include specific references to great clown routines – with on-line sources, these references become an invaluable compliment to the text, a huge advantage for students of this very visual art form.'
-Jeff Raz, Founder and Director of the Clown Conservatory, San Francisco, USA, Lead Clown in Cirque du Soleil
'In The Art of Clowning, Eli Simon manages to capture the unique spirit of the clown. The techniques of clowning are clearly and precisely laid out with humor, passion, and a sense of emotional depth. I would recommend The Art of Clowning to any actor – it is an invaluable resource for movement and comedy skills in the context of clowning as an art form.'
-Henson Keys, Chair of Acting Program, University of Illinois Department of Theatre, USA
'Eli Simon has synthesized his vast catalog of clown teaching knowledge and laid it out for us in The Art of Clowning. It is an eminently useful book and an important resource for any teacher of theatre at any level. Simon is masterful in his articulation of the process of teaching clowning and deeply respectful of the clowning tradition that he pays homage to.'
-Charlie Oates, Professor of Theatre/Movement, University of California at San Diego, USA
'The Art of Clowning provides readers with a clear and empowering guide to the world of clowning. It provides sound advice and exercises for any actor, clown or not. This book is easy and fun to read, and is a useful addition to our field. I particularly appreciate the material on the clown's relationship to the audience, an area I consider much overlooked and of critical importance to any stage actor.'
-Sanford Robbins, Director of Professional Theatre Training Program, Chair of Theatre, USA
'The Art of Clowning is an invaluable training resource manual for would-be clowns in high school, college, and university classes; and in any number of clown festivals currently proliferating around the world. Simon, an internationally known director and teacher of acting with his own clown troupe, has given us a clear, straight-forward description of how to find one's "inner clown." This wonderful book betrays a passionate devotion to the importance of clown work, not only in creating clown characters, but also in helping actors transform themselves into any theatrical roles: from clowns and villains to heroines and tragic monarchs.'
-Michael Flachman, Professor of English and Director of The Hawk Honors Program at California State University, Bakersfield, USA
'The Art of Clowning positively vibrates with joy and inspiration. Simon'swriting is clear, spirited and accessible; even the table of contents is beguiling. His step-by-step instructions are designed for both a performer working alone or for a collaborative team of performer and trainer, and will guide even the shyest novice to discover her own unique clown personality.'
-Leslie Bennet, Professor of Movement, Department of Theatre and Film, University of Kansas, USA
'In The Art of Clowning Eli Simon beautifully articulates his thoughtful and systematic approach to the serious investigation of clowning. The clearly defined progression guides the reader to playfully and safely uncover his/her clown, and deepen creative, artistic expression.'
-Peter Hadres, Artistic Associate, Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts, USA
'Eli Simon - in his instruction, in his life's work and in The Art of Clowning – brings the depth and soul back to clowning that follows the lineage from Pierrot through Chaplin and Skelton. This book shows the purity and love of clowning. Simon reminds us why clowns are the very essence of theatre and why so much of good acting and storytelling is non-verbal. My only regret is that I didn't have a chance to be trained by Eli when I was young and learning. Every actor and writer should read this book!'
-Zoot Velasco, New Vaudeville Performer, Artistic Director, Muckenthaler Cultural Center, USA
'What a great resource for actors and performers! You will learn to create an intimate connection with your audience, find the stripped-down truth in your performances, and actually enjoy committing to failure! The Art of Clowning is your blueprint for finding and deepening your inner clown. There's something here for actors at every level; those just starting out and those of us who have been clowns for a while. This book is packed with fruitful exercises and illuminating information on the history and background of clowning.'
-Crista Flanagan, Actor/Comedienne, Star of 'Madd TV', USA
'Eli Simon's vast experience as a director, teacher, and clown trainer makes The Art of Clowning a joyful journey to one's inner clown - the soul of any performer. His exercises constitute an enlightening journey of self-discovery, a veritable roadmap to connecting with audiences of any size. Whether your ultimate goal is Shakespeare, modern theatre, film, or television, Simon's experienced, supportive, and humorous voice points you in the right direction.'
-Andrew Hill Newman, Producer/Writer, Head Writer "iCarly", USA
'Eli Simon's The Art of Clowning is the next best thing to having Simon in the room next to you when you are exploring the clown's world. Simon is direct and generous in opening up the whole spectrum of the clown to actors both experienced and novice. His natural zest and love for the actor as clown literally springs up from every page. Read this book, follow Simon's treasure trail and you will, you must be drawn into yours and others private and yet so public clown world.'
-Kevin Crawford, Director, Accademia dell arte, Arezzo, Italy
Product Description
The Art of Clowning is the first book on clowning technique and offers a step-by-step process for actors and other theatrical enthusiasts to discover their "inner clown." This fun and accessible guide expands on theories and exercises to help students and beginners develop solo and group performances. Using twenty years of teaching experience, Simon reveals a complete system of clowning that is a must-have for amateurs and experts alike.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's a sad day when people who are so clueless about clowning are actually publishing books telling us how to do it, such as this from Eli Simon's "The Art of Clowning": "It's okay not to be funny. Clowns do not have to make people laugh."
Simon talks a lot about truthfulness, but there is very little honesty in this disappointing book. His haughty dismissals of the "maniacal clown who freaks out the neighborhood" set the tone for a book that has pretensions to superiority: "these Bozo-type clowns... are not the soulful clowns you will likely develop using this book."
However, the exercises and advice that follow do not measure up to such claims, running along the lines of tired old impro tasks like "take an object and transform it". Hardly a case of "you will be deeply connected to truths rather than just gags".
I fear that there will be many who will use this book as their bible, delighted to be relieved of the responsibility of actually being funny, and will fool themselves into believing that their uninteresting and formless work is full of truth. In other words, it may contribute to the continued lowering of standards in clowning today. Books sometimes do have an effect, as we saw a few years back in Spain with Jesús Jara's "El Clown: un Navegante de las Emociones", which resembles Simon's work in its insipidness and false claims to deep insight, and has misled countless clown students.
Simon talks a lot about truthfulness, but there is very little honesty in this disappointing book. His haughty dismissals of the "maniacal clown who freaks out the neighborhood" set the tone for a book that has pretensions to superiority: "these Bozo-type clowns... are not the soulful clowns you will likely develop using this book."
However, the exercises and advice that follow do not measure up to such claims, running along the lines of tired old impro tasks like "take an object and transform it". Hardly a case of "you will be deeply connected to truths rather than just gags".
I fear that there will be many who will use this book as their bible, delighted to be relieved of the responsibility of actually being funny, and will fool themselves into believing that their uninteresting and formless work is full of truth. In other words, it may contribute to the continued lowering of standards in clowning today. Books sometimes do have an effect, as we saw a few years back in Spain with Jesús Jara's "El Clown: un Navegante de las Emociones", which resembles Simon's work in its insipidness and false claims to deep insight, and has misled countless clown students.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Simple Pleasures
6 Sep 2009
Format:Paperback
Eli Simon's THE ART OF CLOWNING is a welcome addition to that rarest of genres, clown literature.
In the past several decades, thanks in no small part to the influence of legendary pedagogue Jacques Lecoq, clowning - and its close cousin, commedia dell'arte - has expanded from its roots in the street and in the circus to become a central aspect of actor training, appearing as a curricular highlight in reputable conservatories, drama schools and MFA programs across the world. Some of this country's newest generation of best-known, best-loved and most influential acting teachers, including Simon himself, Chris Bayes, Jim Calder, Jane Nichols, and Orlando Pabotoy, are first and foremost exponents of the art of clown. Simon's book is addressed to students and practitioners of this evolving field, theatrical adventurers who believe that with the simplest of means - a red nose, an empty space, and a barrel-load of courage - actors can be coaxed to new heights of creativity.
Basing his book on a progression of exercises, explained with admirable precision and an absence of jargon, Simon takes the reader on a journey from the most basic principle of clown - vulnerability - to the more sophisticated joys of creating a unique clown and developing routines. Peppering his text with readily accessible examples of great clowning, from Charlie Chaplin to Lily Tomlin, Simon embraces the natural populism of his subject matter, proving to be a knowledgeable and friendly guide, avoiding the pitfalls of over-analysis or theoretical musings. The result is a sage, unpretentious, and entirely practical book that offers real riches to both the student and - especially - the teacher of clown. Match THE ART OF CLOWNING with Davis Rider Robinson's THE PHYSICAL COMEDY HANDBOOK, and you will have a tiny library devoted to the wonder of foolery. Contrary to its size, it will yield big rewards in your pursuit of this beautiful art.
In the past several decades, thanks in no small part to the influence of legendary pedagogue Jacques Lecoq, clowning - and its close cousin, commedia dell'arte - has expanded from its roots in the street and in the circus to become a central aspect of actor training, appearing as a curricular highlight in reputable conservatories, drama schools and MFA programs across the world. Some of this country's newest generation of best-known, best-loved and most influential acting teachers, including Simon himself, Chris Bayes, Jim Calder, Jane Nichols, and Orlando Pabotoy, are first and foremost exponents of the art of clown. Simon's book is addressed to students and practitioners of this evolving field, theatrical adventurers who believe that with the simplest of means - a red nose, an empty space, and a barrel-load of courage - actors can be coaxed to new heights of creativity.
Basing his book on a progression of exercises, explained with admirable precision and an absence of jargon, Simon takes the reader on a journey from the most basic principle of clown - vulnerability - to the more sophisticated joys of creating a unique clown and developing routines. Peppering his text with readily accessible examples of great clowning, from Charlie Chaplin to Lily Tomlin, Simon embraces the natural populism of his subject matter, proving to be a knowledgeable and friendly guide, avoiding the pitfalls of over-analysis or theoretical musings. The result is a sage, unpretentious, and entirely practical book that offers real riches to both the student and - especially - the teacher of clown. Match THE ART OF CLOWNING with Davis Rider Robinson's THE PHYSICAL COMEDY HANDBOOK, and you will have a tiny library devoted to the wonder of foolery. Contrary to its size, it will yield big rewards in your pursuit of this beautiful art.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Wonderful
6 Oct 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is very special!
So many instructional books, on so many topics, claiming to provide all of the answers, often disappoint in their actual content...not so in this case.
If you passionately desire to discover the essence of clowning and particularly the key to discovering your own personal clown, then I recommend that you acquire this gem and begin to follow its clear directions as soon as you can.[ASIN:0230615236 The Art of Clowning]
So many instructional books, on so many topics, claiming to provide all of the answers, often disappoint in their actual content...not so in this case.
If you passionately desire to discover the essence of clowning and particularly the key to discovering your own personal clown, then I recommend that you acquire this gem and begin to follow its clear directions as soon as you can.[ASIN:0230615236 The Art of Clowning]
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Practical
25 Jan 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Eli Simon's work is a practical source of information for people who are interested in finding the clown inside and understanding the essence of clowning. It is an inspirational discussion that outlines methods and exercises one can use to find the clown inside and to develop techniques to express this part of our nature in a constructive and entertaining manner with people of like mind. I have very little training in theater, but I extrapolate that Mr. Simon's book speaks to both the amateur and the professional, for he speaks directly to the fundamentals of self-expression. Mr. Simon's work specifically speaks to the physical expressions of performance. I think that his advice and exercise would be beneficial to all types of performers and specifically of benefit to those interested in improvisational theater both formal and informal.
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