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<\/a>Avner the Eccentric<\/p><\/div>\n
Avner the Eccentric performed his one-man show Exceptions to Gravity<\/em> on January 29, 2013 at the Bankhead Theatre, Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center. It was a wonderful opportunity to see this world-class international master of physical comedy in an all too rare San Francisco Bay Area appearance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Avner arrives as a janitor character busy sweeping the stage \u2013 aware of the audience he sits down to watch a show, but he is, unwittingly, the show. After a few moments looking at the audience he decides to juggle items he finds onstage such as baseball bats and a peacock feather. Sometimes he loses his hat or gets caught up in his clothing but he finds charming and clever solutions to each challenge.<\/p>\n Avner the Eccentric Later, he picks up a tall stack of paper cups and they seem to have a mind of their own as they bend and go out of reach, then one of his arms appears longer than the other\u2026but again he finds a unique and entertaining resolution. Avner juggles, drops, defies gravity and plays with many other objects (and a few people), while the audience is totally absorbed in his fun and innocent world, laughing, oohing and aahing at his antics.<\/p>\n Avner the Eccentric<\/p><\/div>\n Oh, there\u2019s something else, Avner the Eccentric never speaks a word. This is a silent theatrical clown show and Avner uses his physicality, eyes, facial expressions and timing so skillfully that he transcends language and cultural barriers – everyone understands what\u2019s happening, especially if it seems like an impending threat (to him). In fact, the audience of adults and children enjoy this complicity, when the performer – and they – discover the situations Avner gets himself into quite accidentally and appreciate his creative ways out.<\/p>\n Avner the Eccentric<\/p><\/div>\n Avner is not only an expert clown, highly skilled at non-verbal physical communication, but he is also a magician. After an hour or so, Avner performed his Pi\u00e8ce de r\u00e9sistance<\/em> – a special treat for the audience- Avner’s magical meal that playfully transforms itself unpredictably – and it thrilled<\/span> everyone! Avner is brilliant and this was a fabulous ending to his show.<\/p>\n Interacting with the audience is the key to theatrical clowning and there is none better than Avner. He performed his one-man show Avner the Eccentric<\/em> for a season on Broadway and co-starred in Lincoln Center\u2019s production of Shakespeare\u2019s The Comedy of Errors. <\/em>In addition to acting in various other plays, TV appearances, film, and international tours, Avner directs and teaches workshops for aspiring and professional theatrical clowns. Check out his Schedule<\/a> for where you can find him performing or teaching next \u2013 Avner the Eccentric<\/em>‘s show is a must see<\/span> for everyone!<\/p>\n For more information:<\/strong> Jo Tomalin, Ph.D.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
(Photo: Marie Clauzade)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a><\/a>
\nAvner the Eccentric:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.avnertheeccentric.com<\/a>
\nBankhead Theatre – LVPAC:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.mylvpac.com<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0 Jo Tomalin Reviews <\/strong><\/em>Physical Theatre, <\/strong><\/em>Dance and Movement Performances<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/a>More Reviews by Jo Tomalin<\/a><\/strong>
\n Critics World<\/strong>
\n www.forallevents.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n