The Mill Arts Centre joins us on our blog as they sit down with "master clown" Dru Cripps, hitting up Banbury on his UK tour of Juicy Bits. Set in motion by an unfortunate prop mixup at the Edinburgh Fringe, Cripps' ability to riff in the face of chaos has led to multiple five star reviews, a sellout Fringe run, and a nomination for Fringe Comedian of the Year.
Mill Arts Centre: How would you describe your comedy to someone who’s never seen you before?
Dru Cripps: It’s a raucous hour of journeying into the unknown. People hear improvisation and think it means less quality, but that isn’t the case. What happens in Juicy Bits is nothing short of “innovative musical genius”: a bespoke show every night about anything and everything.
MAC: What is Juicy Bits actually about?
DC: Everything, anything and nothing. We find the themes every night, it’s been about hating our boss; it’s been about why we feel the need to apologise; it’s been about dogs. It’s all about us, the folks in the room and how we live in a time of confusion, and that it is okay to keep moving forward into the unknown.
MAC: Why did you want to make this show now?
DC: No one’s doing it, everyone is loving it, and I am fascinated by the challenge of it. I had a show - with props and beats. My props were accidentally destroyed by another clown: and Juicy Bits is what remained. A cosmic sieving if you like.
MAC: What first sparked the material in this hour?
DC: I took my show to the Fringe, I asked the venue for a bag to store my props in the prop cupboard. Other clowns saw the black bin bag hanging up and thought it was… a bin. All of my props were destroyed by coconut milk, banana peels etc. The show had to go on, and Juicy Bits was born, the show sold out the rest of the run as word spread of the crazy man in a tent.
MAC: Why the title Juicy Bits?
DC: Clown mentor and friend Dan Lees and I were at the Comedy Store – we were throwing names about and he said “Dru Cripps, Juicy Bits” after I said “Dru Cripps, No Bits” referencing that nothing in the show exists. He said “too negative: you want folks to think you have things… which of course you don’t.”
MAC: What kind of night should people expect at Banbury Arts Centre?
DC: Like nothing they have ever experienced before. Come along, come loose, but also come knowing you are safe. I’m very very well trained – intimacy coordination, audience participation etc. No one will feel any more uncomfortable than they might at The Globe watching Shakespeare. Come along, have an experience, bring your mum, don’t be a bore.
MAC: What themes keep coming up in the show?
DC: Love, loss, frustration, joy, limerence, hilarious hijinks.
MAC: How personal is this one compared with your other material?
DC: “Wow, you’re so authentic and unique” is something I hear a lot. It’s not that personal but it is an extremely vulnerable performance – you find out as much or as little about me as you. Last night we found out that I’m jealous of most sketch groups because no one wants to perform with me.
MAC: What do you enjoy most about performing it live?
DC: Meeting folk, new discoveries, a state of play – new rooms, new challenges.
MAC: What makes Juicy Bits different from other comedy shows people could see right now?
DC: Comedians spend years, struggling, writing, dying, crying – as they chisel away at a work of art for you that you then may or may not like. I’ve practiced the skill of doing that live.
MAC: What do you hope audiences leave with?
DC: Joy, connection and a new perspective for live comedy shows and a strong sense of trusting the uncertainties in their lives.
MAC: Who is this show for?
DC: Everyone. I’ve seen doctors, the unemployed, the very old - the far too young, English as a second language, the disabled, the terrified and the over enthusiastic. Families, solo voyagers, first dates and anniversaries.
MAC: Why should someone in Banbury book a ticket?
DC: It’s a big theatre and I shouldn’t be trusted in such a prestigious place. I will be misbehaving to the fullest. They will not be welcoming me back.
MAC: What’s one thing you’d say to someone who’s on the fence about coming?
DC: Stop being a loser. I’ve met so many folks that weren’t initially sure about the show coming back to see it again - join us.
Juicy Bits will be performed at the Mill Arts Centre on Fri 15th May, 7:30; you can book tickets here.