A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Clown Bar 2

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  3w, 6m

In this follow up to Szymkowicz's long-running comedy hit, the clowns return to the scene of the crime. A year has gone by since the events of Clown Bar, and Happy, the new clown crime boss, is missing. Foul play is suspected, so two cops from the "beige life" are enlisted to go deep undercover and solve the mystery.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    75 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Experimental, Commedia dell'Arte
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
There's been a murder at the Clown Bar. It's a place where underground clown crime syndicates battle for top billing, and a gunshot ends in a bleeding stream of confetti. The rules are strict, the jokes are dark, and the best way to serve a cocktail is to "make it funny."

It's a year later and the Clown Bar is in disrepair. Happy has gone missing. Has he been offed by clown cowboy Brigham Bill or was it an inside job? Two cops who knew Happy when he was on the force go undercover as clowns in the Clown Bar to find out what happened.

Knowledge of the preceding show is not required to enjoy this sequel. In the words of the playwright, "look, if you didn’t see/read the original Clown Bar, that’s fine. You’ll still understand the play."
History
Clown Bar 2 was commissioned by Troy Heard, the Artistic Director of Las Vegas's Majestic Rep. It was set to premiere at the Mahestic in May of 2020, but the performance was canceled due to ongoing lockdowns. It had its first full production at the Majestic in May of 2022.
Keywords

The clowns:
CLITEAU, CLITEAU/TWINKLES
MUSTY/GUSTY
, perhaps played by the actor who plays DUSTY in Clown Bar

Brigham Bill's Boys:
BILLY BILL, perhaps played by the actor who plays GIGGLES in Clown Bar
WILLIAMY BILL, perhaps played by the actor who plays SHOTGUN MCGHEE in Clown Bar
BRIGHAM BILL, played by the actor who plays VIRGINIA and who played BOBO in Clown Bar

The cops:
GLORIA, perhaps played by the actor who plays BLINKY FATALE in Clown Bar
MAC, perhaps played by the actor who plays TIMMY in Clown Bar

The lady clowns:
PETUNIA
POPO
VIRGINIA, perhaps played by the actor who plays BOBO in Clown Bar. If a male actor, this should be done without artifice in drag.
HOHO, played by a male clown in drag — BILLY BILL or WILLIAMY BILL (nonspeaking)
JELLYB, played by a male clown in drag — BILLY BILL or WILLIAMY BILL (nonspeaking)

The clown boss, deceased:
HAPPY MAHONEY

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting The Clown Bar: a bar full of clowns set up like a cabaret.
  • Features Elaborate/High-Volume Costumes
  • Additional Features Audience Participation/Interactive, Physical Comedy, Drag Performance
  • Duration 75 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Gun Shots
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“The antics never stop.” — Eat More Vegas

“An absurd and fabulous play that takes "clowning" to a whole new level. The physical comedy of the play will undoubtedly keep audiences laughing while witty and quick dialogue will allow for an engaging play. A show made for all.” — New Play Exchange Community

“Fun the minute you enter the performance space.” — Eat More Vegas

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Return to Clown Bar: Adam Szymkowicz on His New Sequel
September 6, 2022

Videos

  • Clown Bar 2 at the Majestic Rep in Las Vegas youtube thumbnail

    Clown Bar 2 at the Majestic Rep in Las Vegas

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Adam Szymkowicz

Adam Szymkowicz’s plays have been produced throughout the U.S and in Canada, England, Wales, The Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Turkey, Switzerland, South Korea, Thailand, Sweden, Austria, Slovenia, Malaysia, ...

View full profile

Now Playing

Related