On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, The London Clown Festival 2025 (16 June – 4 July) at Soho Theatre and Jacksons Lane promises its biggest, boldest celebration yet, with an eclectic lineup of world-class clowns and physical theatre artists delivering chaos, comedy, and unforgettable moments.
London Clown Festival 2025
The London Clown Festival is back, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more gloriously absurd than ever. Running from 16 June to 4 July 2025, this annual celebration of physical comedy, clowning, and genre-defying performance will take over Soho Theatre and Jacksons Lane, transforming these iconic London venues into playgrounds of laughter, vulnerability, and creative chaos. With its most ambitious programme yet, the 2025 festival promises an eclectic mix of UK and international talent, showcasing the finest clowns and physical theatre artists from around the globe.
Since its founding in 2016, the London Clown Festival has become a cornerstone of the city’s comedy scene, redefining clowning as a vibrant, boundary-pushing art form that blends physical theatre, improvisation, and emotional honesty. This year, the festival expands its scope with the inclusion of physical theatre that incorporates clowning techniques, offering audiences a thrilling spectrum of styles—from jaw-dropping aerial feats to lipstick-smeared Europop mayhem.
A Lineup Packed with Daring Performers
The 2025 programme is a testament to the festival’s commitment to showcasing the wild, the heartfelt, and the brilliantly ridiculous. Leading the charge is The Weight of Shadow by Sasha Krohn, a haunting physical theatre piece that fuses mime, dance, and aerial work to portray the emotional turmoil of a psychiatric patient over a single day. Described by Fringe Review as “truly exceptional… both a tormenting and beautiful portrayal of the human condition,” this show is a must-see for its visceral intensity.
Equally unmissable is Red Bastard, the legendary Bouffon performer returning to London after an eight-year hiatus. Known for his unpredictable mix of raw conversation, comic traps, and high-stakes audience interaction, Red Bastard guarantees “something interesting every ten seconds.” Meanwhile, Berlin’s dysfunctional art-rock duo Otto & Astrid: The Stages Tour brings a sonic collision of Europop anthems, channeling the chaotic energy of The B-52s, The Pixies, Kraftwerk, and early Ramones in a gloriously unhinged performance.
Other highlights include Lachlan Werner: Wondertwunk, a surreal circus of stunts and ventriloquism from a “hilarious, extraordinary” performer (The Guardian), and Jessica Barton: Dirty Work, a skanky yet empowering debut that blends song, dance, and clowning, fresh off a Best Newcomer win at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Festival Highlights and Special Events
The festival kicks off with the London Clown Festival Opening Cabaret, a vibrant showcase of artists from across the programme, giving audiences a taste of what’s to come. For a dose of melodrama, A Night of Drama sees The Director live-directing a company of clowns in a period piece, with audiences armed with up to 70 banana peels per show for maximum chaos (peels provided, naturally). Closing the festival is the Naughty Cabaret, a queer feminist extravaganza featuring clowning, circus, music, burlesque, and character comedy—a high-energy finale that encapsulates the festival’s rebellious spirit.
Iconic Venues, Rich Histories
The festival unfolds across two of London’s most dynamic venues. Jacksons Lane, a North London arts hub celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, is a beacon for innovative theatre, circus, and dance. Housed in a Grade II-listed former Methodist church, the venue’s recent £5m refurbishment, partly funded by The George Michael Estate, birthed The Freedom Studio in honor of the late artist. Meanwhile, Soho Theatre, known for its punk, counter-culture vibe, is a powerhouse of new theatre, comedy, and cabaret. With a second venue opening in Walthamstow in 2025, Soho Theatre continues to expand its influence, from Edinburgh Fringe to international stages in New York, Melbourne, and Mumbai.
Why Clowning Matters
Clowning, as championed by the London Clown Festival, is more than red noses and slapstick—it’s a timeless art form that embraces vulnerability, chaos, and connection. From avant-garde solo pieces to side-splitting cabarets, the 2025 programme pushes the boundaries of what clowning can be in the 21st century. As the festival continues to expand the public’s perception of this art form, it invites audiences to revel in the joy, exhilaration, and sheer unpredictability of live performance.
For tickets and the full programme, visit the London Clown Festival website. Prepare for three weeks of wild, wonderful, and downright ridiculous moments that will leave you laughing, gasping, and maybe even throwing a banana peel or two.
London Clown Festival 2025 Full Line Up
Monday 16th June 18:45 – London Clown Festival 2025 – Opening Cabaret – Soho Theatre (120 mins, no interval)
Tuesday 17th June 18:45 – The Day I Got The Horn – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Tuesday 17th June 20:30 – 50 Ways To Kill a Slug – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Wednesday 18th June 18:45 – Jessica Barton: Dirty Work – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Wednesday 18th June 20:30 – Lachlan Werner: Wondertwunk – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Thursday 19th June 18:45 – Lil Wenker: Bangtail – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Thursday 19th June 20:30 – Dan Lees: Vinyl Countdown Vol II – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Thursday 19th June 22:15 – A Night Of Drama – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Friday 20th June 18:45 – Fred Strangebone Performs Comedy – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Friday 20th June 20:30 – Paulina Lenoir & Patricia Langa: CONCHOLA – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Friday 20th June 22:15 – The Clong Show – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Saturday 21st June 18:45 – Freddie Hayes: The Magic Lady – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Saturday 21st June 20:30 – Jonah Non Grata – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Saturday 21st June 22:15 – Slug in A Club – Soho Theatre (60 mins)
Tuesday 24th June 19:30 – The Establishment – Jacksons Lane (60 mins)
Wednesday 25th June 19:30 – Red Bastard – Jacksons Lane (60 mins)
Tuesday 1st July 19:30 – Tatterdemalion – Jacksons Lane (60 mins)
Wednesday 2nd July 19:30 – Otto & Astrid: The Stage Tour – Jacksons Lane (60 mins)
Thursday 3rd July 19:00 – The Weight of Shadow – Jacksons Lane (60 mins)
Thursday 3rd July 20:45 – Tatterdemalion – Jacksons Lane (60 mins)
Friday 4th July 19:30 – Naughty Cabaret – Jacksons Lane (60 mins)
LISTINGS
Dates: 16th June – 4th July 2025
Venues: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
Venues: Jacksons Lane, 269A Archway Road, N6 5AA
Time: Various Times
Price: £13-£27 (plus booking fees)
Tickets: www.londonclownfest.co.uk
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