Old Clown Wanted by Matei Visniec, at the HERE Arts Center

The Trap Door Theatre Company presents Old Clown Wanted, by Matei Visniec, at the HERE Arts Center from the 29 Nov - 4 Dec 2005. Presented as part of the ACT FRENCH Festival.

In Old Clown Wanted the scene opens on an announcement of auditions for an Old Clown posted on a door. Filippo and Niccolo arrive first, and there is much tension between them, for there is only one opening to be filled. Over time, however, the two realize that they trained together and were once close as brothers. Their camaraderie only carries them so far, however, before competition for the job takes over again. Now they are joined by Peppino, whom they are delighted to recognize as their old teacher and mentor. But again, joyful reunion is spoiled by the tensions inherent in their desperate circumstances.

An approaching carnival sends the trio scrambling to the window. The passing parade sends the recruits into reverie and each begins to perform his best tricks, the ones he is sure will land him the clown job. Then Peppino perfectly executes a cruel joke. In gleeful triumph, he begins to mock the pair with unrelenting laughter, setting unexpected forces in motion.

The cast for Old Clown Wanted, directed by Gregory A. Fortner, features Circus-Szalewski, John Gray, and Bob Wilson.

Playwright, poet and journalist, Matei Visniec (Playwright) was born in Communist-era Romania where he studied history and philosophy before he began to write for the theater in 1977. Over the next 10 years he wrote some 20 plays, all of which were banned by the Romanian censors. In 1987 Visniec was invited to attend a literary event in Paris. He asked for and received political asylum from the French government and since then has become a citizen (most of his writing is now done in French too). Following the collapse of the Communist regime in Romania, however, Visniec became one of the most performed playwrights in his native land.

Old Clown Wanted has set design by Ewelina Dobiesz, costumes by Beata Pilch, lighting by Richard Norwood and sound by Bob Rokos.