CIRCUS GOTHIC
THE TRUE STORY OF CIRCUS GOTHIC
CIRCUS GOTHIC is a classis masterwork of Canadian Theatre written and performed by Jan Kudelka accompanied by compose Cameron Shook. It is the true story of 28 Canadian Clowns on tour during the 70’s under the leadership of the late and great and legendary Canadian teacher of clown, Richard Pochinko. The 23 exotic circus, middle and working class characters of Circus Gothic form an unforgettable glimpse into a down and out American Mudshow touring through the Maritimes. Many productions of Circus Gothic have taken place over the years in high schools, universities, even prisons. Kudelka performs solo in the original celebrated format as when it took Canadian theatre by storm in the wake of Billy Biship and Maggie and Pierre.
reviews
Entertainment – The Globe and Mail, Monday October 27, 1980
CIRCUS GOTHIC: SIDESHOW OF INSIGHTS by Ray Conlogue
Miss Kudelka’s writing is a sideshow of startling Insights and strong ideas. (Politics in theatre? Nothing to it: “In Rory Carr’s matchbox lies a remnant of the forests of New Brunswick:) She wrote the show on an impulse three weeks after leaving the circus, when she heard that the picturesque generator had electrocuted two of her closest friends. “The circus is a virus which inoculates small towns against greater evil” she wrote.
“I’m almost afraid to go back to Toronto with it” she says after the show one night, her hair still streaked with makeup. “But it seems I’m going to be offered an off-Broadway run in New York, and if that works out I’ll feel better about Toronto again”.
She grew up on a farm near New Market with her brother, choreographer James Kudelka, and her father, who on hearing in 1975 that she had abandoned the circus for the Stratford acting company said “Everything good in theatre is done on orange crates in church basements; what do you want with Stratford?”
After a year there, she agreed “I was playing Foible in Way of the World on the same stage as Maggie Smith, and had no more idea what I was doing there than I did now to fly and Robin Phillips was too high-octane for me. The litter shivering tremulous whatever in me just said “Enough of this”.
Since that Passe Muraille workshop in 1978 she has left Gothic from time to time to do other things. She was in the Leonard Cohen show in Montreal as well as a New Brunswick tour of 18 Wheels (her boy friend works at Theatre New Brunswick). “But I know nothing in my life will ever be as close to me again as this material”, she says. “I visualize myself when I am 40 going back to that original Passe Muraille rough theatre idea, where I build the tent myself every night on stage”.
That tent, made of old canvas hay cover from her father’s farm, has been recycled to make the sideshow paintings in the new set. Newmarket canvas in a show about New Brunswick on a stage in Vancouver – it has the feeling of something being knit together. Gothic is alarming, possessive and exciting theatre.
CIRCUS GOTHIC: SIDESHOW OF INSIGHTS by Ray Conlogue
Miss Kudelka’s writing is a sideshow of startling Insights and strong ideas. (Politics in theatre? Nothing to it: “In Rory Carr’s matchbox lies a remnant of the forests of New Brunswick:) She wrote the show on an impulse three weeks after leaving the circus, when she heard that the picturesque generator had electrocuted two of her closest friends. “The circus is a virus which inoculates small towns against greater evil” she wrote.
“I’m almost afraid to go back to Toronto with it” she says after the show one night, her hair still streaked with makeup. “But it seems I’m going to be offered an off-Broadway run in New York, and if that works out I’ll feel better about Toronto again”.
She grew up on a farm near New Market with her brother, choreographer James Kudelka, and her father, who on hearing in 1975 that she had abandoned the circus for the Stratford acting company said “Everything good in theatre is done on orange crates in church basements; what do you want with Stratford?”
After a year there, she agreed “I was playing Foible in Way of the World on the same stage as Maggie Smith, and had no more idea what I was doing there than I did now to fly and Robin Phillips was too high-octane for me. The litter shivering tremulous whatever in me just said “Enough of this”.
Since that Passe Muraille workshop in 1978 she has left Gothic from time to time to do other things. She was in the Leonard Cohen show in Montreal as well as a New Brunswick tour of 18 Wheels (her boy friend works at Theatre New Brunswick). “But I know nothing in my life will ever be as close to me again as this material”, she says. “I visualize myself when I am 40 going back to that original Passe Muraille rough theatre idea, where I build the tent myself every night on stage”.
That tent, made of old canvas hay cover from her father’s farm, has been recycled to make the sideshow paintings in the new set. Newmarket canvas in a show about New Brunswick on a stage in Vancouver – it has the feeling of something being knit together. Gothic is alarming, possessive and exciting theatre.
“A riveting tour de force of great poetry… tragedy and comedy delivered as tightly as
telegram.” Montreal Gazette
“One cannot long resist her conviction and power..” Globe and Mail
By far the best of the one person shows currently on offer.” Vancouver Magazine
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: 2003 CIRCUS GOTHIC
This is a Canadian classic, like good wine improved with time and experience. Jan’s extraordinary range subtlety and emotional power is that of a finely seasoned performer. Amazing, brilliant BRAVO. Fearless, profane, absolutely essential.. Keep on!
A beautiful and inspiring show! I hope you tour it to the East and all over the world. Your characters will live in my mind for years to come
Great show! Amazing band.. I had some wonderful laughs. Jan Kudelka is a talent
Very Talented ingenious inventive we want more
Amazing personality studies.. music like Godspell .. love her facial expressions
Wonderful powerful meaningful extremely talented. Such music
Some of the best theatre I have ever seen anywhere>
Absolutely unique! Energy filled inclusive and original one woman machine delivering a
humorous joyful evening. Sinful more people done know.. must be toured in Canada.
Thank you for the gift of all your selves.
A TOTAL TALENT
Amazing work. Jan took me from laughter to tears and back again.
Breathtaking vocal magic. Brilliant show, so full of heart, timeless! More people should see this.
Gutsy, creative and great entertainment
A Canadian Classic more people need to see it. Timeless and brilliant, timeless and brilliant
Terrific engaging performance that touches your heart with its joy of the theatre
Stunning breathtaking.. this woman is amazing and the elephant is truly great
Fabulous show. Lots of dimensions. Very full and alive
“One cannot long resist her conviction and power..” Globe and Mail
By far the best of the one person shows currently on offer.” Vancouver Magazine
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: 2003 CIRCUS GOTHIC
This is a Canadian classic, like good wine improved with time and experience. Jan’s extraordinary range subtlety and emotional power is that of a finely seasoned performer. Amazing, brilliant BRAVO. Fearless, profane, absolutely essential.. Keep on!
A beautiful and inspiring show! I hope you tour it to the East and all over the world. Your characters will live in my mind for years to come
Great show! Amazing band.. I had some wonderful laughs. Jan Kudelka is a talent
Very Talented ingenious inventive we want more
Amazing personality studies.. music like Godspell .. love her facial expressions
Wonderful powerful meaningful extremely talented. Such music
Some of the best theatre I have ever seen anywhere
A TOTAL TALENT
Amazing work. Jan took me from laughter to tears and back again.
Breathtaking vocal magic. Brilliant show, so full of heart, timeless! More people should see this.
Gutsy, creative and great entertainment
A Canadian Classic more people need to see it. Timeless and brilliant, timeless and brilliant
Terrific engaging performance that touches your heart with its joy of the theatre
Stunning breathtaking.. this woman is amazing and the elephant is truly great
Fabulous show. Lots of dimensions. Very full and alive
Upcoming shows
Live performances, workshops and events.