Natural PRESS RELEASES
TOP OF THE FOOLS!
18th September 2008
There are many reasons why the Bath based Natural Theatre Company are invited to events around the world, but never before because they are among the best fools in the UK! As part of the first International Congress of Fools the Naturals recently took their inimitable style of interactive walkabout entertainment to Moscow.
A country not renowned for its comical outlook on life, Russia is home to one of the world's leading clowns and entertainers, Slava Polunin, who organised the event in September. The creator of the award-winning production Slava’s Snowshow hand picked a small group of the biggest ‘fools’ from all over the world, which included Leo Bassi from Spain, France’s Jerome Deschamp and Jango Edwards from America. The Natural Theatre Company was honoured to be part of the event, representing the UK alongside comedian Chris Lynam.
Having previously performed in Moscow at Slava’s World Theatre Olympiad in 2001, the Naturals were prepared for the mixed reaction some of their characters receive, especially their Nudes. Obviously they aren’t really naked, with the intrepid performers wearing lycra body stockings with the cheeky bits sewn on! Audiences at the congress greeted these naked Naturals with stony stares, which of course soon turned to smiles. Fortunately they realised the characters were there to enjoy the event too - even if the characters don’t realise they are naked and everyone’s laughing at them. The Times newspaper once described the Naturals as having “the skill to turn a crowd of a hundred strangers into allies” and this was again the case in Russia.
Audience members of Slava’s Snowshow were also treated to a unique experience as the Naturals' most popular characters, The Coneheads, joined in with the thrilling climax of this show. As large inflatable balls are released into the auditorium these cheeky men from Mars decided to also release themselves! The Coneheads are always so inquisitive and have to be right in the middle of any action wherever it is and waded into the audience to mingle with the Russian public. Regarding a Naturals performance over 20 years ago, The Stage newspaper stated they “demolish the barriers between audience and stage” and this recent tour proves they still do!
To see if the Naturals will be at a theatre, party, launch, opening or on a street near you, visit their website www.naturaltheatre.co.uk
ENDS
Photographs: High resolution images available on request.
Contact: Sarah Huntington, Marketing Officer
sarah@naturaltheatre.co.uk, 01225 469131