WOMAD

De Castro & Mason

From Brazil, United Kingdom

It seems that clowning around is a serious business. Brazilian-born Angela de Castro and Brit clown Bim Mason are now veterans of the art, having gone from studying under circus gurus like Jacques Lecoq and Desmond Jones to directing, teaching, performing and clowning their way around the hi-ways and bi-ways of the international circus circuit. Their CVs are impressive and far too intricate to go into here. Suffice to say that De Castro is the founder of The Institute of Contemporary Clowning in London and Mason is Co-Director of Circomedia, The Centre for Contemporary Circus and Physical Performance. And before you say that no-one needs a diploma to throw a custard tart, go along and see two of the best in action and see who has the last laugh. Biography by Andy Morgan, June 2001