Sun 15th, 2.30pm
Gloucester Green | Free

A plan, a man, a plant. Technology and nature do battle with an unlucky fool caught in the middle. Sublime slapstick and poetic pratfalls, mad music, peculiar props and hilarious physical comedy. A unique and unusual performance. 

The Trap is an homage to the great silent film comedians. A mix of eccentric dance, physical comedy, acrobatics, absurd prop play and slapstick. Imagine Buster Keaton on the loose at the Chelsea Flower Show.   

The Trap features Oxford-based physical theatre artist, Joe Dieffenbacher. His solo shows have been featured at top festivals in Europe and the UK, in Asia and North America. He’s collaborated with British pop sensations Take That, and was featured in the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics Closing Ceremonies. He was Director of Clown Conservatory at the Circus Center in San Francisco, Circus Skills Director at the Scottish National Opera in Glasgow, Physical Theatre Director for productions at Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He is the author of CLOWN: The Physical Comedian published by Bloomsbury/Methuen Drama.  

"Nakupelle's performance at Manchester's Xtraxx Festival was one of my personal favourite shows of the year. The energy, the relationship with the audience and the simple audacity of the show, were all tremendous."     

Jonathan Holloway, Festival Director   National Theatre, London  

“The high point of the festival. Every detail of his show is carefully constructed. With a never-ending stream of comic business, movements, actions and reactions, he kept the audience spellbound. The talent to pretend as if he invents and experiences everything for the first time during his performance, highlights every detail. A clumsy virtuoso … an elastic looser. This is slapstick in the very best tradition, that of Chaplin and Buster Keaton.”  

Jos Prop, Limburgs Dagblad  

THIS IS A FREE EVENT - NO NEED TO BOOK - JUST COME ALONG