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 very fortunate 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.

Recently I had my film directorial debut in a Short Film called ‘Fragile’, were I literally fell back on my early career as a stuntman.

From Jan-June 2022 I will be teaching at Declic Circus as well as rehearsing my New Solo Show for kids, the working title is ’The Lonesome Boatman’, it is due to premier in July 2023.

I will be playing and perfecting my new creation GASMAN in cabarets and galas.

Following that I will be Co- Director for Palazzo’s upcoming Kings & Queen’s show, teaming up again with the hugely talented co-director Max Rambaek.

This coming winter season’22 I will be performing again with FLIC FLAC in Germany.

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. (www.cwbireland.com)

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 suddenly 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