Clowning Around the Capital

International Clownbaret Festival 2009
Santa Cruz de Tenerife

SANTA Cruz de Tenerife played host to a riot of tomfoolery in October for the 4th International Clownbaret Festival.

by James Tweedie

Children and adults alike enjoyed the free performances by a variety of acts in the capital´s squares.

Highlights included Belgian Adrian Schvarzstein´s ‘Green Man’ act, ‘Funeeestuff’ by American Rob Torres, Argentinian Chachovachi’s show ‘Caution! A naughty clown could ruin your life’ and British trio The Chipolatas with ‘3-style’.

Torres’ ingenious slapstick trickery is very reminiscent of Rowan Atkinson’s character Mr Bean. He communicates effortlessly without language and proved a great favourite of the children of Santa Cruz.

FUNEESTUFF: The USA´s Rob Torres

Like foul-mouthed Scottish comedy magician Jerry Sadowitz, Chachovachi deconstructs his genre in an anarchic and hyperactive fashion. He talks incessantly in his distinctive Argentine accent, mixing politics with physical humour, but never truly offending his audience.

The Chipolatas present an all-singing all-dancing extravaganza of acrobatic juggling, which maintains its momentum from beginning to end. The trio have played all over the world, and had learnt enough Spanish to perform a bilingual set.

Rob Torres was observed standing backstage at The Chipolatas Sunday afternoon set opposite La Recova market, gawking as one of the trio set his shoes on fire and performed a handstand to light his fellow performer’s juggling torches.

The festival closed with a free showing of the Marx Brothers’ film ‘At The Circus’ at the Tenerife Espacia de Las Artes (TEA).

Not all the offerings were a hit. The open stage late on Friday night attracted some unoriginal and unfunny performers. But with luck this charming event will return to the streets of Santa Cruz for a fifth time next year.

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