Clowning is no joke for Jaime
Edge Hill University West Lancashire College
CLOWNING around is a serious business for Edge Hill University graduate Jaime Monfort Miralles, whose impressive circus skills and acrobatic style of physical theatre have won him an apprenticeship at the prestigious L’Académie Fratellini in Paris.
He said: “When I started my course at Edge Hill, I didn’t expect to be auditioning for one of the world’s best circus schools five years later.
“I’ve wanted to be a clown ever since I saw a show by the American performer Avner the Eccentric back in 2008 and now I’m on my way to fulfilling my dream of creating my own clown persona and performing a solo show.”
Jaime was one of only nine performers from across the world to be accepted onto the celebrated three-year training programme at L’Académie Fratellini. During a rigorous audition process, Jaime had to demonstrate excellence in artistry, technique, strength and flexibility, a mix of skills that he started to develop at Edge Hill.
“I had so many opportunities at university, not just on my course. I was told that dance is good for physical training and I was fortunate to be part of Edge FWD, Edge Hill’s all-male dance company.
“I also joined the circus skills society, which helped me improve my technical skills.”
After graduating from Edge Hill, Jaime spent two years studying circus skills at the Rogelio Rivel circus school in Barcelona where he began to hone his clown act, ‘trofnoM’.
Along with another student, he devised a show, addam trofnoM, which he has performed in Barcelona and is taking to the Boomtown Fair Festival in Hampshire this summer.
“I took the name trofnoM because it’s my name backwards and it sounds slightly Russian, which I like. I see my clown as my life’s journey because it is a part of me. It won’t ever be ‘finished’ because I’m always changing it a little bit.”
Jaime says his aim as a clown is to amaze and delight his audience, while keeping them laughing – even in today’s tough times.
He said: “Avner the Eccentric once said in a workshop I attended, “Comedy is tragedy viewed from a distance”.
Even in tragic times, laughter is the best solution. I believe everyone’s objective is to be happy, so if you can learn to laugh at your own tragedies, nothing can make you unhappy.
“I’m very serious about stupidity. I intend to make the audience question why they are laughing at me, the clown, when all humans are stupid.
“Life is absurd, so you shouldn’t worry, just laugh.”