Fool Around Online 2020
Our festival ran Sept 24-27, but with the time-travelling magic of the interwebs, you can still browse most of suite of sweet digital and socially-distanced delights. We do our best to screen all linked content. Read our disclaimer.
Can you spare a dime?
Play the Fool Festival is run by artists, for artists. Your donation will help us offer affordable, accessible programming into 2021.
Welcome!
Play the Fool Short Film Competition
Play the Fool Festival Short Film Competition invited filmmakers, clowns, and physical comedians to submit their short films, maximum… read more
Click Here to Watch the Films
Panel Discussion
Culture, Identity and Clowning: A BIPoC Artist Conversation
Six (6) diverse Black, Indigenous, and Clowns of Colour from across North-America gather to talk about working in a white-dominated culture. Read about the panellists…
A recording of the Livestream is available on both YouTube and Fringe TV:
Uncle Junior Project
United States
“It’s about moving past the limited vision that society has for you, and stepping into the talent and skill you know you have.”
The Uncle Junior Project is a community-driven digital exhibit celebrating the history of Black people in the American circus. It honors the achievements of the many extraordinary individuals and groups in the African-American circus community, including clowns.
We at Play the Fool suggest you start with the documentaries about the extraordinary clowns Danise Payne and Onionhead.
Don’t forget to sign up for their free membership, donate directly, and check out the exhibit store.
ABC (Anything But COVID)
Liverpool, United Kingdom
“It's like nothing you have seen before, or will see again unless you re-visit an Ugly Bucket production”
Ugly Bucket Theatre
A short film commissioned by HOME Manchester. Watch the trailer.
Ugly Bucket is an award winning physical comedy company based in Liverpool. We’re serious about silliness, and combine clowning, music and verbatim to tackle taboo topics head on… read more
The Morro and Jasp Tour: A Short Documentary
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
“[Of Mice and Morro and Jasp] is funny and sweet, but it also cleverly skewered an underfunded theatre scene whose obsession with classics can make it tolerate old prejudices.”
Up Your Nose and In Your Toes Productions (U.N.I.T)
Heather Marie Annis and Amy Lee of Morro and Jasp tour their show Of Mice and Morro and Jasp to high schools. This documentary film is the behind the scenes take of all the highs and… read more.
Click Here to Watch The Morro and Jasp Tour
Folk Lordz
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada /Treaty 6 territory
“Second place winners, 2017 Comedy Shorts competition for 'The Statue'.”
“Official Selection for 'Mandatory Curriculum'.”
New(to)Town Collective Clown Party
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
a film from New(to)Town Collective
Anjela Magpantay, Avyen von Waldenburg, June Fukumura, and Davey Caulderon
4 Clowns in the time of Covid Journey through nature and sanitation. Riddled with danger signs and love. A full circle equals POOF! New(to)Town Collective facilitates (currently) online theatre/clown/character classes by donation. We want to keep the community warm in offering a space to practice the Work together. www.newtotowncollective.com
New(to)Town Collective works on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Dragula
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada / Treaty 6 territory
“Between them, this ensemble of artists has too many accolades and awards to count. Trust me, I tried.”
Guys In Disguise
An audio drag show written by Darrin Hagen and Trevor Schmidt. Available on-demand.
Virginia Hymen (Trevor Schmidt) has received a cryptic invitation to visit Castle Dragula… read more
WARNING: Contains shocking innuendo, mature, immature, and outrageously campy content.
The Telethon-a-thon
International cast
The Calgary Clown Society
The Calgary Clown Society’s 88th annual telethon-a-thon. A fake fundraiser to support future fake fundraisers. more…
The Livestream recording:
Click Here to Watch on Facebook
Click Here to Watch on YouTube
Features an international cast, with performers from Edmonton, Calgary, U.K., and the U.S.A.
Check back here on Saturday Sept 26th for the link to this event.
Circus-To-Go
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada/Treaty 6 Territory
“...perfectly debonaire...”
“...one of the funniest and entertaining shows we're ever had”
The Great Balanzo
Order a show like a pizza! Do you want a fast 10 min fire show or a 30 min circus comedy show?
An award-winning juggler who has performed in 13 countries around the world and is in Edmonton ready to perform for your socially distanced private event whatever it is. He’s entertained kids and families on YTV, at award-winning Children’s Festivals, and at hundreds of schools across Canada – it’s obvious why the Great Balanzo is one of the country’s top circus personalities.
The Wise Fool – a documentary by Geraldine Carr
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada/Treaty 6 Territory
“[this film makes me] have a crush on myself!”
Laughing is a Lifetime Achievement
Sooner or later everyone plays the fool. Meet Jan Henderson – director, educator, clown extraordinaire, saving the world one red nose at a time. For over 40 years Jan has led countless students on a magical, inspirational journey to release their inner clown waiting in the wings. Hear Jan’s story and why she believes clowns emerge when the oft-cruel world needs them most, to entertain and gift their audiences with hope, truth, love and compassion. geraldinecarr.com
Sadly, this event is over.
To book a future screening of The Wise Fool at your festival or event, please contact thewisefoolthefilm@