Insurgo’s new ‘Clownshow’ makes for a fun late-night freak show

Two-man balancing act Golden Showers helps make “1230 Clownshow” memorable.

Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010 | 12:05 a.m.

What: "1230 Clownshow" by Insurgo Theater Movement
Where: The Bastard Theater, 900 E. Karen Ave, No. D114; 771-7331
When: 12:30 a.m., September 3 and 4
Cost: $10
Official site: 1230show.com

The "1230" in "1230 Clownshow" refers to time, not the number of clowns in the production. Let me make that clear from the beginning, lest folks see the title of Insurgo Bastard Theater's new monthly variety show and assume they're in for a conga line of rubber-nosed funnymen. There are only two clowns.

Actually, walking into the packed Commercial Center theater at midnight-thirty, you might just expect the unexpected, because that's what you'll get. "Clownshow" bills itself as "euro-comic-insanity," a more poetic way of saying it's a cabaret filled with everything from clowns who pick on audience members to sideshow acts (of the balloon-swallowing and hammering-a-nail-through-your-nose variety) — all of which will keep you cringing and laughing for a full 90 minutes.

Stealing the show were acro-balancing duo Golden Showers — two nearly naked gold-painted buff dudes whose athleticism and skill in lifting one another was surpassed only by the intentionally over-the-top homoeroticism of their chosen craft. Other highlights included a hilarious hair-metal juggling routine backed by "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and a set by a mad scientist and his contortionist creation.

Whether partaking in slapstick or serious Cirque-type skills, the clowns and non-clowns of "Clownshow" connected with the full house. With day jobs in shows like "Le Rêve" and "O", these people know how to perform, and it's no wonder "Clownshow" packed three trial dates plus Friday's opening night. Insurgo plans to run the event once a month, and I suggest not waiting until the eleventh hour for tickets. This "Clownshow" is worth a late night out — even if it could use 1,228 more clowns.

— Originally published in Las Vegas Weekly

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By sportyyetpratical

Aug. 15, 2010

5:45 p.m.

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"...with everything from a----e clowns who pick on audience members..."

"...acro-balancing duo Golden Showers..."

Is this really appropriate language and subject matter for the Sun? If a reader posted comments like this they would be removed by the staff of the paper.

Are we really so desperate for stories that pertain to "Arts"?

Oh and by the way when I attempted to post the actual quote the system wouldn't even let me and gave me a cutesie little retort of "Watch your mouth!" It just goes to show you that no one even reads this section of the paper.

The Sun isn't supposed to be a city rag geared toward toward sophmoric juveniles.
By levi (Levi Chronister)

Aug. 16, 2010

10:30 a.m.

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syp, good catch on the adjective describing the clowns. That was missed when the story was edited for the Sun and has been removed. However, as for the act in the photo's name, there's nothing inherently wrong or inappropriate with it.