From Crime Reporting to Clowning: John Simpson’s Career Shift
John Simpson, once a renowned crime reporter, made a significant career shift from portraying crime scenes to performing as a clown. Speaking with Morning Edition, he shared insights into his unique journey away from journalism.
Simpson’s career in journalism spanned over 15 years, tackling subjects such as organized crime and murder investigations for The Times of London, and more recently pro-Palestinian protests for The Observer. Now, Simpson engages in theater clowning, uniquely different from traditional circus performances.
Theater Clowning
Theater clowning involves creating comedic acts without typical circus elements like exaggerated costumes. In his acts, Simpson explores complex emotions, spanning from humor to frustration. One notable act features Simpson as a spiritual guru, expecting a spotlight and a gong, which aren’t present. The audience improvises these elements, leading to comedic moments.
I am a kind and loving man who wants to inspire people.
Interest in Clowning
Simpson’s shift to clowning sparked curiosity. As colleagues discussed his transformation, they discovered connections to clown schools among their acquaintances, including NPR Middle East correspondent Daniel Estrin. Simpson suggests this interest stems from a societal search for authenticity and humanity, elements he finds lacking in the modern world.
Tim Reid, a doctoral student in performance studies, describes clowning as thriving across places like New York and Los Angeles. Though often referred to as clown school, these programs are mostly workshops, lacking formal qualifications. Reid compares the interest to the improvisational boom of the past decades, noting clowning thrives on connection rather than codification.
The Complexity of Clowns
Reid sees a darker aspect of clown popularity, linking it to feelings of danger and threat. Clowns represent moral ambiguity, capable of both humor and critique. This duality makes clowning a complex art form, addressing modern anxiety through unique perspectives.
Simpson’s transition was driven by dissatisfaction with the repetitive cycles of newsroom stress. He questioned the impact of his work and turned to clowning during a time of personal struggle, including overcoming alcoholism. Clowning provided an outlet for authentic expression and learning to embrace failures, known in the field as the flop.
Embracing Failure
The concept of the flop acknowledges mistakes onstage, fostering immediate honesty. Simpson shares a pivotal moment entering a stage, losing confidence, and eventually learning to own those failures. Reid critiques the romanticization of the flop, yet for Simpson, it proved a valuable exercise in personal growth.
The audience is almost like an X-ray machine; they can see right through you, Simpson observes, highlighting the raw transparency required in clowning.
Clowning in Modern Times
In an age dominated by technology, Simpson values the real-world interaction that clowning offers. He seeks authentic engagements away from digital influences, offering live performances through London-based Clown Lab and engaging audiences with his Substack publication, The Shiny Things.
Reid draws parallels between the audience’s unpredictable reactions in clowning and the dynamic nature of platforms like TikTok, which adapt content based on user engagement. Simpson continues pursuing a career in clowning despite limited paid opportunities, contrasting journalism’s scrutiny with clowning’s requirement to commit first and present boldly.