SHAOLIN CLOWN
Non-verbal and physical comedy show. Suitable for an audience of all ages and nationalities, and for audience members with hearing impairments.
A physical and visual comedy show. The day of a Shaolin monk who rediscovers his childish and clownish soul through his Zen practice, exploring a world always full of surprises and finding meaning in seemingly insignificant little things. Freely inspired by the book “Shaolin, You Don’t Have to Fight to Win” by Bernhard Moestl.
In a time when we seem to live in a hostile and dangerous world (pandemic, war, ecological emergency), I wanted to create a show focused on the beauty of what surrounds us and the importance of lightness in living and facing life, following the precepts of Shaolin philosophy.
My inspiration for creating this character was the book by German author Bernhard Moestl, titled “Shaolin, You Don’t Have to Fight to Win,” which traces the essence of Shaolin Buddhist philosophy in various chapters.
FESTIVALS
EDINBURGH FRINGE (United Kingdom) 2026
AVIGNON OFF (France) 2025 and 2024
BARCELONA FRINGE (Spain) 2025
BRIGHTON FRINGE (United Kingdom) 2025
IAPAR (India) 2024
PRAGUE FRINGE (Czech Republic) 2024
TALLINN FRINGE (Estonia) 2023
AWARDS
Shortlisted for the IC Award 2026 – EdFringe 2026
READ THE TOUR PACK
Click on the button below to downaload the tour pack of the show in pdf format.
PROFESSIONAL CRITIC AND AUDIENCE REVIEWS
Click on the button below to read all the reviews of the show in pdf format.
The show was staged at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, from 6 to 21 August 2026, at TEATRO FISICO – Fruitmarket, 45 Market Street, Edinburgh — Venue #359a.
REVIEWS FROM THE AUDIENCE AT EDFRINGE.COM
❝ This show offers a delicate and understated world of clowning. It creates joy through small moments of laughter and genuine connections with the audience ❞
❝ A really charming and amusing hour, with the audience safely in the hands of an assured storyteller. ❞
❝A charismatic performer who draws you in to the little world of his ‘monk’, alone on an island…❞
PROFESSIONAL CRITICS
★★★★
Rialto Arts Hub
“In their simplicity, you feel like you’re learning something new about theatre. ”
FringeReview – Very Good Show
“Tom Corradini’s solo show explores the world of a monk meeting his inner child. He plays, moves, sings and does everything you wouldn’t typically expect from a Shaolin monk. He explores the little things in his life, and finds macrocosms within microcosms. He’s endearing, charming and incredibly skilful. ”
DURATION: 50 minutes
STYLE: modern clowning, mime and visual comedy
CREATED AND INTERPRETED BY: Tom Corradini
Also suitable for non conventional spaces
