Beryl & Clive are a clown comedy duo who are making their debut at this year’s Fringe. Connected with the Gaulier school they bring their absurdist new musical show to Space venues.
Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
Beryl & Clive, Sing or Die (Their Musical) is a comedy show following pivotal moments in the life and relationship of two beautifully absurd yet tender characters, desperate to express both their love for each other and their creative joy…
On the face of it, it’s ridiculous fun…however, beneath the surface is an exploration of human nature – the journey to meaning and connection in spite of the strange narrow conventions we can get bizarrely drawn into. Beryl & Clive’s journey attempts to show us that by trusting we live in a friendly universe, we are free to be our true selves and love… no matter what or who.
The process of making the show has been unpredictable and mysterious, but no more than life itself!
The show will bring smiles, laughter and a chance to enjoy the work of some true masters, such are the creatives involved. With each unique contribution from a superb cast and creatives, we are bringing something fresh and original – a simple and fun look at life through physical theatre, vaudeville, clown, music and dance. During the WIP, one person said how it felt very liberating; this feedback really does encompass my hopes for the show and connection with audiences.
I’m sharing the stage with the marvellous Claudio Del Toro, and the brilliant Samuel Gaulier will be directing us.
Beyond my delight at delighting audiences, I would encourage people to come and see Beryl & Clive to experience something new, uplifting, liberating and full of imagination.
What makes you laugh?
Haha! Certainly my children and grandson do. Then there are dogs… and other animals. People are generally pretty funny without having to do very much at all. I find the banality of much human behaviour pretty amusing really.
My parents and siblings make me laugh, each in a different way… it can be light, ridiculous, bizarre, dark or sardonic. It kind of fascinates me just thinking about it.
I am a big fan of Spike Milligan, The Goons, Peter Cooke & Dudley Moore, Dave Allen, the Monty Python tribe, the kind of absurd ridiculousness that makes you able to laugh at yourself, rather than taking yourself too darn seriously. And so much more…
What three words best describe your performance style – and why?
Original, vaudeville, clown might sum it up… Original, because I don’t tend to stick to particular performance styles, I like to play with whatever feels right in the moment, vaudeville because it includes song, dance and other elements from this tradition and clown because we like to have fun to be our ridiculous selves and feel happy to make people laugh. Laughter all the way!
What about “Amy & Friends style”, oh wait that’s four words… Come and see Beryl & Clive and tell me!
Do you have nerves about going on stage and how do you cope with them?
Yes I do. I have been known to shake more than my dad’s arm (he has a Parkinson’s diagnosis). I would say, rather than getting butterflies in my tummy, I get pterodactyls. I tend to let them do their thing, feed them love and acceptance and trust that their energy will be transmuted into an honest and powerful performance.
What’s your idea of a perfect Fringe feast and where will you eat it?
Mmmmmmm, I very much enjoy nutritious food with big flavours. Yummy! I shall be be seeking recommendations… please come and give them to me after you have seen Beryl & Clive !
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
I very much hope the endorphins will be kicking in and leaving the audience feeling connected and joyful… and a little more curious. They may not know what to think or feel, that is good too – Beryl and Clive understand all about it.
When did you first realise you were born to be on stage?
It was such a natural part of my upbringing to play this way that I can’t recall when I wasn’t. As a small child I made our bungalow window ledge with pulley curtains a stage, with my younger sister wrapped in a brown towel as the big bad wolf to my Little Red Riding Hood. That said, I do remember a profound moment when I was a much younger me, playing a young Suffolk broad named Rose in an outside production of Black Shuck The Musical, that dusky summer evening on an old wherry on River Blyth. I found such sanctuary on stage that this became a turning point for me to want to take it a bit more seriously.
Why do you think Edinburgh Fringe is so important to performers and artists around the world?
This being my debut at Ed Fringe, I am not qualified to say too much. But from the conversations and experiences I have had, it is the sheer volume of creative energy all brought together like a great explosion of creativity and inspiration, with artists and audiences connecting and celebrating one another. I’m actually just discovering the importance (or not) myself. Looking forward!
How do you plan to relax and enjoy the city when you’re not performing?
Looking forward to discovering just that. Good quality food and laughter with kindred spirits, and I might try to find myself a massage, a sauna and a place to walk in nature. I will be joined by my offspring at some point, so we may well be seeking out some fun family shows. Again, recommendations are welcome and you can tell me after you have seen Beryl & Clive!
Who is your showbiz idol and why?
Always been a big fan of Bach and Prince. Comedy wise I am old school…all the people I mentioned before (Spike Milligan, The Goons, Peter Cooke & Dudley Moore, Dave Allen, the Monty Python tribe) plus the likes of Chris Morris and Bill Hicks… so many beautiful brilliant minds.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
A beautiful, happy audience in front of me, with the sound of laughter at or with Beryl & Clive, Sing or Die (Their Musical).
Beryl & Clive, Sing Or Die (Their musical), 13.40, the Space Triplex Studio, until August 17
https://www.thespaceuk.com/shows/2024/beryl-clive-sing-or-die-their-musical
