Angels Can Fly, a Modern Clown User Guide
Here is the review from Mask - the Journal of Drama Victoria, Australia, 2009 by Christina Kyriakou"Angels Can Fly comes with a warning, 'Clown exercises are not for everybody.' Author Alan Clay is quick to explain that in order to engage in the 'experiences' within the text one must be prepared to 'let go of the self'. In truth Angels can fly is not simply a textbook filled with activities from cover to end. As Clay explains, 'You may see it as a novel on the human condition, a clown textbook, a philosophical treatise, or a memoir or oral history.' (p.11). He encourages readers to take from the text what they needand to 'make the text your own'.Motivated by the belief that clown is an art form to be found in 'every culture on the planet' Clay has created a text that outlines the growth of the modern clown by blending practice with theory. His text is divided into 50 chapters, each beginning with an explanation of the particular theme whether this be, 'Bliss', 'Breath', 'Laughter' or 'Faith'. In fact, from a quick scan of such titles you could be forgiven for thinking that this is a self-help book - you would not be too wrong:By the sacrifice of releasing the self, we gain the ability to see the forest rather than the trees, because we get in the way of ourselves. You have to let go of yourself, so you can be part of the world that the people around us are creating. (p.209)It is the blend of philosophy with instruction that makes this text unique in its approach to the clown art form. Each chapter includes exercises (which increase in complexity as the text progresses) and additional coaching tips which define the activity ad explain the learning process at work. Within each chapter Clay has imbedded an anecdote from notable clown practitioners, including Clay himself. These insights into the clown world are fascinating and if nothing else, reveal how this art form transcends boundaries of class and culture. As Clay highlights his own artistic journey since leaving Clown School in Sweden in 1977, the reader is privileged to be privy to his experiences such as having an audience with the Dalai lama in a Tibetan Children's Village in 1995.Interweaving through the exercises and anecdotes are fictional short stories introducing characters such as Sugar, TC, Madona, Easy and Jasper. Readers can follow the adventures of these clowns and through their antics, can learn about the nature of clowning.Angels Can Fly is Alan Clay's fourth book. A clearly experienced practitioner, Clay offers a through exploration of theclown art form for those who are willing to 'surrender' themselves to all it has to offer."