London’s annual celebration of clowning, physical comedy and experimental performance returns this summer for its biggest edition yet, with the London Clown Festival marking its 10th anniversary across two venues and nearly six weeks of programming.
Running from 30 May to 13 July 2026, the festival will bring performers from six countries to Soho Theatre and Jacksons Lane, featuring live comedy, cabaret, workshops and contemporary clown performances that push far beyond traditional circus stereotypes.
Festival Overview and Dates
The London Clown Festival runs from Friday, 30 May through Sunday, 13 July 2026, across two prominent London venues: Soho Theatre in the West End and Jacksons Lane in Highgate. The festival features performers from Poland, Mexico, Venezuela, Australia, Italy, and the United States alongside UK-based artists.
Founded in 2016 by clown performers and teachers Dan Lees and Henry Maynard, the festival aims to present contemporary clowning and physical comedy to wider audiences while challenging traditional perceptions of clown performance.
Opening Night Cabaret
Date: Saturday, 30 May, 7:00 PM
Venue: Jacksons Lane (relocated from previous years due to demand)
Duration: 120 minutes plus interval
The opening cabaret provides a sampler of festival acts, allowing audiences to experience multiple performers before selecting full-length shows. The 2026 lineup includes:
- Lara Ricote
- The LCF House Band
- Dan Lees and Tom Penn as The Sonic Joy Orchestra
- Maya Ricote
- Ella the Great
- Julia Masli
This annual event typically sells out, prompting organizers to move it to the larger Jacksons Lane venue for 2026.
Featured Performers and Shows
Carlo Jaccuci: VITAMIN
Date: Friday, 12 June, 7:00 PM
Venue: Jacksons Lane
Carlo Jaccuci, a teacher at the renowned Gaulier school and international performer, presents his critically reviewed solo show. The Times awarded the production four stars, noting its “primitive simplicity and imaginative charm.” The performance centers on chaos emerging from an obstinate box.
Josh Glanc: Work-in-Progress Show
Date: Tuesday, 2 June, 8:30 PM
Venue: Soho Theatre
Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Josh Glanc presents an unfinished work, offering audiences insight into the creative development process. The format may include script readings, improvisation, or combinations of both approaches.
Dru Cripps: Juicy Bits
Date: Thursday, 4 June, 10:15 PM
Venue: Soho Theatre
This improvised performance features loop station technology, with Cripps transforming audience suggestions into spontaneous songs and sketches. The show has received multiple awards including recognition from Offie, British Comedy Guide, Musical Comedy Award, and the Malcolm Hardee Award. Chortle described the performance as “utterly winning.”
Jamie Wood presents O No!
Date: Saturday, 13 June, 7:00 PM
Venue: Jacksons Lane
This production explores themes of love and avant-garde art through the lens of Yoko Ono’s artistic instructions. Shortlisted for a Total Theatre Award for Experimentation and Innovation, the show examines optimism and cultural perspectives from the 1960s counterculture movement.
Gutter – A Bouffon Comedy Ritual
Date: Friday, 5 June, 10:15 PM
Venue: Soho Theatre
This alternative comedy experience features bouffon performance style—a form of theatrical clowning that employs satire and subversion. Nominated for a Chortle Award for Best Alternative and Clowning, the show presents what Philippe Gaulier described as “a little bit nasty” truth-telling comedy.
Understanding Contemporary Clowning
Contemporary clown performance differs significantly from traditional circus clowning or children’s entertainment. The art form emphasizes:
- Physical comedy and movement-based storytelling
- Emotional vulnerability and authenticity
- Improvisation and audience interaction
- Social commentary and satirical elements
- Experimental performance techniques
This performance style traces roots to European theatrical traditions, particularly French physical theatre and commedia dell’arte, while incorporating modern comedic sensibilities.
Workshop Opportunities
Beyond performances, the festival offers skill development workshops for practitioners, including:
Puppetry for Clowns: 2-Day Intensive Course
Led by Olivier-nominated actress and puppeteer Caroline Partridge, this workshop provides specialized training combining puppetry techniques with clown performance principles.
Additional workshops and masterclasses will be announced as the festival approaches, typically covering topics such as physical comedy techniques, improvisation, and character development.
Venue Information
Soho Theatre
Location: 21 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 3NE
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square
The Soho Theatre operates three performance spaces and has established itself as a hub for new comedy and theatre in central London.
Jacksons Lane
Location: 269A Archway Road, Highgate, London N6 5AA
Nearest Tube: Highgate (Northern Line)
This community arts venue in North London specializes in circus, physical theatre, and contemporary performance.
London’s Festival Culture
The capital hosts numerous specialized festivals throughout the year celebrating diverse art forms and cultural traditions. Upcoming events include the London Hallyu Festival 2026, demonstrating London’s commitment to cultural diversity and artistic programming.
Ticket Information and Accessibility
Individual show tickets are available through respective venue box offices. Prices vary by performance and venue, with some shows offering concession rates for students, seniors, and unemployed individuals.
Both venues provide accessibility accommodations including wheelchair access, accessible toilets, and hearing assistance systems. Patrons requiring specific accessibility arrangements should contact venues directly in advance.
Complete Festival Schedule
The full programme spans 20 individual performances across both venues, with showtimes ranging from early evening (6:45 PM) to late night (10:15 PM). Complete scheduling details are available through the festival’s official website and venue booking systems.
The festival’s tenth anniversary represents a milestone for contemporary clown performance in London, highlighting the art form’s continued evolution and growing audience appreciation for physical comedy and experimental performance styles.
