01/10/2005
From David Berry
(Artistic Director of I.C.S & President of the Looking Glass, Clown Alley, W.C.A)
Hello Friends Of the Association for the Development of Circus Arts in Israel,
I have just returned from a two-week trip to the home and work of my good friend Arthur Pedlar in Ye Old England near Southport, on the central West Coast. I had a fabulous time and feel the journey was of historic significance for I.C.S.
Discovering a feeling for my Celtic roots after visiting preservation listed Castles in Wales we then headed down to “Black Pool Towers Circus” where I met the director of the Blackpool Tower Circus, Laci Endresz Snr. I must say his company certainly work hard doing three shows a day in the peak season. The British Clown of the Year, “Mooky” stole the show keeping the stooge on his toes and keeping the audience laughing between amazing acts from artists from all around the world in a show that was called “Around the World with Mooky”.
Then we where off to “Clowns International” in Weston-super-Mare, where I met Sunny and Rainbow the hosts of the Convention. Highly dedicated people worked hard to bring the 200 Clowns to entertain locals and one another for a week. For the second time in my life I won a raffle, an MP3 player and I thank the people who made me feel so welcome in workshops and lectures which abounded over the days. Clowns International has certainly held out a hand of friendship to us here at I.C.S.
HI!!, “Toto” the Clown from “Dharma” the Clown (:=} … and many other new-friends too! a BIG HI!! The Clown Convention was a real eye opener for me seeing the level of participation and the organization that went into its creation. It’s worth mentioning the fabulous performance of Nola Ray who performed her one-person show of the life of Mozart. This was done with the use of puppets, mime and a story full of clowning humor at the highest level of creative artistry. An inspiration to all who where privileged to see her work.
After the “Clowns International” convention we headed back to Southport where I prepared to give a second lecture about Israel Circus School to the Southport branch of Rotary. Here I was able to meet and to inform a group of 60 members about our ongoing work in Israel and to thank the members that have supported the Circus Center over the past three years. I had a very special meeting with Rabbi Sydney Kay just minutes before the Rotary lecture. Rabbi Kay had written a letter to the local Imam of Southport extending a hand of friendship and an invitation for dialog over the concerns of the community after the recent bombings in London. He showed Arthur and myself the letter of reply from the Imam who was very happy to hear from the Rabbi and agreed that interfaith conversation where essential for better community relationships.
In fact the message that was conveyed so strongly through the Clowns and Rotary was to do precisely with the interfaith dialog. At heart the message of most world faiths is that there is only one supreme divinity; ergo: the faithful of the world singing in different voices sing the “one praise”. Understanding through a sincere effort to learn about each other no matter what the cultural background leads to a relaxed acceptance of the superficial differences between communities.
The international-work that is being sponsored in this direction is in a class of its own and Israel Circus School is proud to be a member of this larger international community in its own small way. The peace workers I met where humbly going about their business mindful of one purpose, helping others to find joy and supporting people with the same loving grace to give and receive from each other. Old World concepts of win or loose are being eroded away with a New World concept of every one growing together in loving respect. This is also the core main mission of the Israel Circus School.
Since arriving back many people have asked me if the journey was fruitful or not and my answer to that is the fruit of doing good is its own reward and all the rest, hard and easy, just helps you to be creative about it.
My personal thanks to Arthur and his family for hosting me and thanks from I.C.S for the ongoing support from all the friends of the Association for the Development of Circus Arts in Israel.
On a final note for this letter is worth mentioning that the Israel Circus School has been primarily supported at a material and moral level by the International community over the last three years. However the seed idea of Circus Education is taking root at a local level, with a much stronger support from parents of the students that come to our Center. ICS continues to develop and improve our facility giving better service and instruction and looking for improved ways of Public Relations to our community to get people to come to us. At a personal level the trip to England did a great service in showing the way open for a road that young people can take into the future using the Circus as their vehicle. Many doors are open to ICS as other Circus professionals watch with keen interest how we will develop over the coming years.
All the best,
David Berry.
