Lessons From The Way Of The Showman
My dear mate and old partner in crime (Carnival Cinema Co-Founder), Master Showman & La Soiree legend Captain Frodo has been writing his philosophy and musings on The Art & Craft of Esoteric Showmanship – for years, originally on his blog The Illuminated Showman.
Here at Carnival Cinema we are going to start featuring his writings.
To start it off here’s the first 10 lessons in the Captain’s lessons from the Way of The Showman.
*The term ‘Showman’ is interchangeable with ‘Showwoman’ of course 🙂
“The lessons from the Way comes like lessons in life, in no particular order. Yet they all follow each other like one footstep follows another, each step placed where it is best for that moment. But overall they get you to where you’re going.” – Captain Frodo
Pic Willow darling
Lesson – 1.
A Showman is one who faces the other Way.
That walks with the crowd, then turns around to face the Others.
Lesson – 2.
A Showman asks for attention and has something to show when he gets it.
Lesson – 3.
A Showman shows man – man.
Revealing the pulsing meat of human experience.
Lesson – 4.
The Showman reminds us of the inherent folly of all human endeavour.
Lesson – 5
A show is artificial, meaning made by man for man.
A horse does not appreciate a card trick.
Completely artificial is also completely human.
Lesson – 6
When we laugh at the clown,
we are laughing at ourselves.
Lesson – 7
The crowd has enjoyed the Showman from when he enacted stories by the cave fires, since he first drew a bison on a cave wall, back when they called the Showman Shaman.
Lesson – 8
There is a significant relationship between a Showman, his Craft, and the Crowd.
The link between the Crowd and the Showman is the Craft of Showmanship. From this link the Crowd gives the Showman’s otherwise useless skills Meaning and simultaneously the Craft can be deeply Meaningful for the Crowd.
Lesson – 9
a show is imagination made real
Lesson – 10
A sculptor’s Art is shaping clay.
The Showman’s Art is moulding human minds.
More To Come…….
And for those who haven’t seen the good Captain in Action – Here’s a little 5 min version of his infamous Tennis Racket Act.
I hope you enjoyed those musings. More to come.
You can see the first 5 episodes in a web series that myself and CF have been making here –
The Way of the Showman – Video Series
Peace & Respect
Hamish
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