Clownifornia

JEFF SEAL
Jeff arrived onstage and very personably and enthusiastically discussed physics and the space/time continuum. He was amusing and charming. Yet, I was at a loss to understand exactly why he did this as a clown. It seemed like a thinly developed class exercise--a rant on a subject of your choosing. Perhaps if he revealed the depth of his passion for his subject, I would have seen more of who is.

DAMSELS' DEMISE
I enjoyed these two characters, with a natural conflict of personality. I would love to see them try some classic circus entrees or traditional lazzo, with built in timing and structure. The writing of this show did not give the players enough room to blossom. So time was spent LOOKING at the audience or each other. I found myself wanting them to get on with the action.

We were led to believe that Spike and Priscilla were little girls yet some of the material became very sophisticated, very sexual. Priscilla started the show presenting her behind in a seductive way, looking to us for approval, then falls in love with a mannequin that is discarded. Spike tries to pick up a woman in the audience. They played games, some of them cruel. I was confused. Were they children, were they actors playing children? Clowns can play at very sophisticated themes, but it is in the spirit of play--always a clown game. These two took their cruelty and sexiness seriously.

With some clarity of choices, and bit of good old comic structure, Spike and Priscilla's natural differences will play out well. I hope they will keep on working together.