Elephant in Zulu

written and performed by Alice Nelson, directed by TJ Dawe

Calgary actor and writer Alice Nelson studied clowning and physical theatre at the Dell’arte school in Blue Lake, California. While there, a school alumnus presented a slide show about touring to Chiapas, Mexico with a group called Clowns Without Borders. Yes, there actually is such an organization. There are many “______ Without Borders” groups. Doctors without Borders, Journalists Without Borders, Teachers Without Borders, Geeks Without Borders. Clowns Without Borders goes wherever there’s need, and helps children remember to be children. Even if only for a little while.

Alice toured to South Africa with Clowns Without Borders playing part in a three person clown show in Zulu. Which she doesn’t speak. Elephant in Zulu tells that story. The show involves physical theatre, shadow puppets, stilts and monologues.

Elephant in Zulu will play at Calgary’s Loose Moose theatre June 5 – 15, 2008. And then at the CAOS festival in Calgary in January. It’s generously supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Canada Council for the Arts and Calgary Arts Development Authority.