Pippo Crotti, from Italy, age 31, is a Clown character in Totem. This is his first show with Cirque du Soleil. Before this, he had an illustrious career as a television comic in Italy.
In Totem, Pippo is an Italian caricature – crass, loud, and full of himself. He has a ridiculous energy that never seems to drop, and his antics light up the scenes. Without a doubt he is the most human clown character I’ve ever seen in Cirque du Soleil, which is a fun change. One of his best moments in the show is the Rings Trio act – he is the skinny guy in the Speedo being shown up by the Muscle Beach men, but in the end he walks off with the girl.
Italoeuropeo met Pippo-Crotti-physical-comic-actor-of-cirque-du-soleil:
Do you think there is any difference in working in the Cirque du Soleil or in TV show as Zelig?
The difference is so great. I used to work in the theatre or for tv show in Italy. I have been acted with comedians such as Cirilli. The most evident difference is the number of shows that are made per weeks: from 8 to 10.
I have always been on stage in front of 2000 people,the concentration must always be up. However the biggest challenge is that cirque du soleil is a world touring and every country has a different sense of humor.
Do you need to adapt your show each time?
Exactly. I interpret the caricature of Italian on holiday. Funny, hustler, lover of women, talking about eating and his mum.Wherever people know Italian, and they laugh because they recognize this characteristics.
What is the edge between a comedian and a clown?
In the Cirque du Soleil they referred to me as clown but I am not a clown. My role is called physical comic actor. This are referred to as clowns, but they are not.
It is quite an hard work to catch sense of humour of a country. You should understand its psycology, know its customs and its sociology. How can you get it in such short time?
When I studied at Acta Studio in Los Angeles, they taught the psychology of spectators, they explained how understand the member of audience tastes. This understanding is part of my job.Before going , I study the culture of the country.
After this terrible economic crisis, people need to laugh more and relax themselves. A comic became a social role then? Should we enhance this role?
Comedians should not have all this responsabilities. I like the idea of giving fun for two hours.
Between the classic comedians who is your model?
I like Charlie Chaplin,Totò,Jerry Lewis, the great comic classics.
What would you do after the Cirque du soleil?
Cinema. I would act in a comedy movie.
How did you get into Cirque du Soleil?
They have seen my show and they invited me for an audition.
Where are going to be played next shows of the Cirque du Soleil?
We are going to move soon from London. Next destination will be Charlotte(USA) then Baltimora, Pittsburg, Toronto, San Francisco then the whole american tour. We are coming in Europe next year.
return article : New show of cirque du soleil: TOTEM
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