#35 Praying to Trickster; Howard Gayton and the power of Mask (Pt1)

Nonsense in the Chaos

This week’s episode of Nonsense in the Chaos is the first of a two-part offering, born from a rich, two-hour conversation with my dear friend and fellow fool, Howard Gayton. We properly connected during a 500-mile pilgrimage from London (or, as Howard rightly points out, Henley) to COP26 in Glasgow—though in truth, we stopped walking in Edinburgh.

Howard Gayton has worked for over thirty years as a theatre director, performer, and teacher specialising in Commedia dell'Arte and other forms of mask theatre, as well as puppetry, foolery and folk drama. His work is inspired by all manner of mythic tricksters, zanni figures and sacred clowns, as well as by the use of masks in drama and sacred rituals the world over.

In this deliciously layered chat, we explore the Trickster archetype through the lens of fooling, drawing on the historical threads of Commedia dell’Arte and the slapstick world of Punch and Judy. I could have talked to Howard forever—and very nearly did. I hope you enjoy our creative musings.

The music and artwork is by @moxmoxmoxiemox

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