Interview with Dan Lees: Do something you believe in and enjoy, then when you die take some time off and go shopping
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We caught up with comedian, clown, musician, award winning songwriter and co-founder of the London Clown Festival, Dan Lees.
1.What is the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
I’ve been laughing all day rehearsing with the Honky Bonk Comrades. I’m very fortunate to work with some very funny people.
2. What is your favourite anecdote or joke?
No anecdotes or jokes come to mind but one of my favourite comic scenes is the ‘what have the Romans ever done for us?’ bit from the Life of Brian.
3. What book changed your life?
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance by Robert Pirsig and Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, two books that I read as a teenager that definitely shaped the way I see the world.
4. What books do you have on your bedside table?
Being a Beast by Charles Foster, about a man who lived life as a badger and the Arabian Nights.
5. What is your next book going to be about?
I don’t know yet, I need to finish the ones by my bedside table first, give me a chance!
6. Why do you think clowning has acquired a bad reputation?
I suppose people have assumptions about clowning, they assume it’s all about pratfalls, juggling and outrageous makeup or creeping around scaring people with chainsaws. Clownings influence is far and wide and once one knows what to look for, you see it in theatre, film and all types of comedy.
7. What keeps you awake during the night?
Netflix
8. Who was or still is your mentor?
I’ve never really had a mentor, but I’ve been fortunate to have learned from some very inspiring teachers; Gaulier, Mick Barnfather, Phillip Burgers, Aitor Basauri, to name a few.
9. When did you know you were going to be a clown?
When I realised you could get a laugh from being bad at something or doing it incorrectly, very liberating.
10. Who is your clowning inspiration?
Tommy Cooper. Spike Milligan.
11. In what place are you happiest?
Walking in nature or performing.
12. What’s your favourite place to visit?
Living in London I love to go to Hampstead Heath or Epping Forrest.
13. What drives you on?
Mortality.
14. What is your biggest extravagance?
My smart phone.
15. What is your greatest achievement so far?
Managing to live without a smart phone.
16. What is your greatest disappointment?
Realising I couldn’t manage without a smart phone, I lasted three months.
17. What is your most memorable experience with your audience?
I did a late night cabaret in Edinburgh this year with my comedy partner Neil Frost. We got the entire audience on stage and then we sat down and got them all to audition for us. It was completely unplanned and a lot of fun.
18. Who is your ideal audience?
I think it’s important to not to judge or pigeon hole your audience. You never know who’s going to enjoy your show. So many times I’ve looked at someone and thought that person is going to hate my humour and they have laughed the loudest.
19. What is the best and worst thing of being a clown?
The best thing is you get to make people laugh and the worst thing is, sometimes they don’t.
20. What is your take on life and death?
Life is short, do something you believe in and enjoy, then when you die take some time off and go shopping.
21. How can we play more do you think?
By not taking ourselves or life too seriously.
22. How would you like to be remembered?
As authentic or as a damn good lier.
23. Do you have an advice to the world?
Always wear a helmet, you never know what might happen.
24. Do you believe in afterlife?
I’m banking on reincarnation, I want to come back as a badger so I can write a book about it.
25. Famous last words
“T’is but a scratch… It’s just a flesh wound!”
Dan Lees is teaching Clowning and the Art of Play , further details at www.theschooloflaughter.com
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2016 : Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2015 : Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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