Colm O’Grady

When I was young I was born in the heart of Dublin, Ireland.  (A perfect start to a very short autobiography.)

I’m currently based in the South of France near Bordeaux, where I am fortunate to have a spacious rehearsal studio at home, literally 5 steps from my kitchen.

My career has been rich and varied, I have been blessed to work closely with many amazing people, many of whom have also been my mentors. I’ve been working in circus and theatre for over 25 years as a performer, writer and director, always referring to what I do as ‘Circus Theatre’ with a huge emphasis on comedy, clown and humour.

I’m currently rehearsing for ’Cabaret UNO’, my new solo street show, it premiers in July 2024.

Following that I will be Co- Director for Palazzo’s upcoming show for Winter 2024/25, teaming up again with the hugely talented co-director Max Rambaek.

I am one half of the renowned duo Naked Lunch with my partner of 13 years Kevin Brooking, (www.ouch-zirk.com) with collectively over 30 million hits on Youtube, plus over 230 million views with Americas Got Talent as ‘Men With Pans’.

I was one of the co-founders of Clowns Without Borders Ireland, up until recently I was the director of the organisation for 14 years.

Among the many incredible and inspiring artists, directors and circus teachers I have had the pleasure to learn from and work with, I have mainly studied with 3 masters.

Most recently from 2011-18 I studied biannually the pedagogy of the late master clown teacher Michel Dallaire, it changed my approach to clown entirely. In my formative years I studied for 2 years with Philippe Gaulier at L’ecole Philippe Gaulier, he broke me and helped reshape me into me. And I have had the honour to study movement and theatre with maestro Monika Panyeaux over many years. (It seems like an Oscars speech!)

With the guidance and generosity of these 3 masters and other gifted mentors constantly with me when I work I continue to dream, be creatively curious and joyfully ridiculous.

                                                        THE END

Photo: Benard Boccara