Ian and Tom interview the incredible Nelson "Smyles" West! Listen in as we talk about our lives as clowns, and NICA graduates. Nelson is a clown acrobat who trained at NICA and after graduating promptly got cast into the role of a hoop diver and main clown in the Cirque du Soleil show, Luzia. In this show, he has performed worldwide. TIMESTAMPS: Things we Talk / Laugh About 0.00 Introductions 0.08 Favorite Part Of NICA 7.43 Looking To The Future 12.15 Should I Be Funny All The Time? 17.53 Most A...
Oct 04, 2020•41 min•Ep. 18
Tom and Ian get the opportunity to interview the hilarious superstar Nelson "Smyles" West. Nelson is a clown acrobat who trained at NICA and after graduating promptly got cast into the role of a hoop diver and main clown in the Cirque du Soleil show, Luzia. In this show, he has performed worldwide. TIMESTAMPS: Things we Talk / Laugh About 0.00 Introductions 1.43 About Nelson 3.30 What Nelson Learned From His Teachers 10.39 How Nelson Got Into Clowning (And Luzia) 20.30 Learning The Luzia Roles 2...
Sep 27, 2020•44 min•Ep. 17
Tom and Ian are back! After a brief hiatus, we are back with a Clowns React of Cirque du Soleil's Best Clowns video! We watch the best of the best in Cirque du Soleil's performances, and dissect what makes them funny. Starring famous clowns such as David Shiner, Yuri Medvedev, Eric Koller, and Rene Bazinet. TIMESTAMPS: Things we Talk / Laugh About 0.00 Introductions 2.11 Totem Clown Act 5.45 O Clown Act 10.37 Luzia Clown Act 1 13.32 Allegria Clown Act 1 19.44 Saltimbanco Clown Act 26.34 Volta Cl...
Sep 20, 2020•59 min•Ep. 16
"There might be some funny in it " - Derek Ives. In Part 2 of the interview with Simon Wright, Simon describes the full founding of the Dummies Corp, their international touring live performance company. From its original ideas in the N.I.C.A classrooms to worldwide travel, Fringe Festivals and more, listen in for stories, lessons and challenges that come from building a multi show company from scratch. TIMESTAMPS: 0.00m Introductions 1.15m How it all Started - 2012 NICA Ensemble Show / Council ...
Sep 07, 2020•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 15
In this episode we bring in special guest Simon Wright! Simon Wright is an international Clown and Circus performer, and one of the founding members of Dummies Corp, Clown O'Clock and the Adelaide Juggling Convention. In PART 1 of this interview, Simon talks about building the weekly classes of 'Clown o Clock', dives into process and inspiration of making his own solo show 'Totally Plucked' and shares his favorite lessons and stories about his journey into Clowning. TIMESTAMPS: Things we Laugh /...
Aug 31, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 14
Tom and Ian answer a multitude of questions that they garnered from their friends, family and fans. Listen in for their anecdotes, tales and laugh along at their silliness! You asked, we answered! But its not too late! You can still send in questions at cheekypodcast@gmail.com or through our page on Facebook. TIMESTAMPS: Things we Talk / Laugh About 0.00 Introductions 1.47 Question #1: Comic Timing 4.19 Question #2: Clown Training 11.17 Question #3: Best Moments 14.40 Question #3: Worst Moments ...
Aug 23, 2020•44 min•Ep. 13
In this 'Clowns React' Episode, Tom and Ian talk about the comedic devices and ideas featured in the famous Rouhan Ankinson film "Bean, The Ultimate Disaster Movie'. 'Mr Bean' is originally a T.V sitcom character first presented in 1990. This persona is a great example of someone who uses many comedic techniques such as "Clown Logic' to solve problems in unusual ways. TIMESTAMPS: Things we Talk / Laugh About 0.00 Introductions 2.08 Bean The Ultimate Disaster Moive Introduction and opening credit...
Aug 10, 2020•42 min•Ep. 12
Ian and Tom discuss Buster Keaton's favourite film that he starred and directed, 'The General'. Come and listen as they laugh their way through this silent movie classic, based off of the real life historical event of 'The Great Locomotive Chase'. TIME STAMPS : Things we Talk / Laugh About 0.00 Introductions 1.36 "The General" Introduction 3.22 Cracking Into It 6.09 SPOILER ALERT 8.07 How Funny is it? + The Rail Handcar Incident 14.05 Slide Counts 15.47 Ian's Favourite Part 18.55 The Trifecta of...
Aug 02, 2020•39 min•Ep. 11
The second half is here! Tom and Ian discuss the rest of Charlie Chaplin's life, including becoming an independent film producer, the peak and fall of popularity, as well as communist accusations and receiving the longest standing ovation in Academy Award history... TIME STAMPS : Things we Talk / Laugh About 0.00 Introductions to Part 2 1.12 Production changes after becoming independent / Charlies Perfectionism 2.44 Charlies second marriage to Lita Grey + Controversy 4.34 The Next films made, 'T...
Jul 26, 2020•21 min•Ep. 10
Charlie Chaplin has been described as one of the greatest film makers of all time. His comic character 'The Tramp' became an icon in silent film, with his unique blend of comedy and empathy, chaos and care. In this episode of Highlighted Histories, Tom and Ian take a look into the early life of Charlie Chaplin. Next week we will be releasing part 2 of this two part mini series. TIME STAMPS : Things we Talk / Laugh About 0.00 Introductions 1.13 Disclaimer ! 2.24 Charlie Chaplin Introduction 3.35 ...
Jul 19, 2020•22 min•Ep. 9
Emmett Kelly's life is held in such high regard as the clown who invented the tramp clown. Listen in as Tom and Ian discuss the world renowned Emmett Kelly in this all new series - Highlighted Histories. In this new series, Tom and Ian provide a short biography of a selected famous clown in history, and then ask questions, discuss and find out new information. Next week we will be discussing Charlie Chaplin! TIMESTAMPS - Things we talk / laugh about 00 - Introductions 1.13 - Emmett Kelly Intro 2...
Jul 12, 2020•22 min•Ep. 8
Reunited at last! After three months of recording and editing separately due to Covid - 19 , Tom and Ian bring in their second guest appearance, Jeff Young. Jeff is a Ian's former Clown classmate and National Institute of Circus Arts (N.I.C.A) alumni. This episode, equal interview and discussion, covers topics of Jeffs background, Scary Clowns, some of Jeff's hilarious memories and assessments from Clown College. Timestamps - Things we talk / laugh about 00 - Introductions 2.15 - Jeff's backgrou...
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 7
Tom and Ian talk about the many comedic devices used in physical comedy and clown. We grapple with definitions, and attempt to explain our thoughts in clear, concise and meaningful ways. *Laughter Ensues* TIMESTAMPS: 2:11 - Emotion 3:38 - Theories of Humour 12:44 - Surprise 13:59 - Absurdity 18:10 - Parody 20:57 - Repetition 25:02 - Clown Logic & Improvisation 31:12 - High & Low Status 35:09 - Gags & Lazzi 39:00 - Winning & Losing 41:52 - The Taboo 45:07 - Joke of The Day Contact...
Jun 28, 2020•46 min•Ep. 6
In this special occasion (Episode 5!), we have Ciara Thorburn - handstander, juggler, variety performer, and lucky last, a CLOWN! Listen in as Tom and Ian discuss all things Ciara. Follow Ciara's Journey LINKS: Avner the Eccentric Philippe Gaulier Ciara's Gaulier Blog Neon Trent Baumann...
Jun 21, 2020•58 min•Ep. 5
In this fourth episode, Ian and Tom discuss the amazing clown show, Placebo, created by Joe de Paul, a former Cirque du Soleil clown. Listen in as we dissect, analyse and laugh at the silliness and humour of Placebo. For those confused about this whole 'Episode 5' business, it is due to 'Episode 4' not being able to be edited. As of now, 'Episode 4' is being delayed inevitably... Enjoy! LINKS: Placebo Joe De Paul...
Jun 14, 2020•52 min•Ep. 4
In this third episode, Ian and Tom eagerly discuss what is considered to be one of the best clown shows in modern times, Slava's Snowshow. They attempt to wriggle their brains around the show as a whole, and delve into why it's just so funny. SPOILER WARNING - Slava's Snowshow LINKS: Slava's Snowshow See it LIVE "BUM BUM BUM BUM" Music (O Fortuna)...
Jun 08, 2020•55 min•Ep. 3
In this second episode, Tom and Ian discuss what performance qualities are needed to be a clown in this Glossary of Terms. They discuss what they perceive to be the most fundamental pieces of a clown: audience interaction, audience interest, and character work/slapstick. They also get a bit lost in the differences between a contemporary vs traditional clown and between a theatrical vs circus clown. LINKS: The Artist by Thom Monckton Franco Dragone Venn Diagram...
May 31, 2020•30 min•Ep. 2
Ian and Tom talk about how they don't know anything about podcasting, and how they don't know what this podcast is even about. The beginning of every adventure has to start somewhere.
May 24, 2020•29 min•Ep. 1
