Interview: Clown, Actor & Giraffe Impersonator Keaton Guimarães-Tolley aka Francisco de Nata
Ahead of his debut solo show Francisco de Nata, we caught up with British/Portuguese performer Keaton Guimarães-Tolley to talk clowning around, long limbs, funny people, and of course Unmissable Things To Do in London!
Francisco de Nata | The Pen Theatre | 21 March | £7.21
Tell us about your WIP show, Francisco de Nata – what should we expect?
A Giraffe. In a G-String. With a job to do. Francisco de Nata is a non-verbal clown show featuring audience interaction, puppetry, live music, and yes — a very special Portuguese custard tart!
What is your comic style and how did it come about?
I think, like anything, it’s a mix of different influences and things pulled and stitched together, some carefully sewn, and others held in place with gaffer tape! It’s very much still changing, and I’m discovering new parts of what makes it up every time I perform, but if I had to put a word to it, I would say it’s physical – I’ve got long limbs and a lot of them doing silly things, some I’m in control of and others not so much. Without words, my body and face seem to have a life of their own when I put on that costume. I grew up on silent movies so that has definitely shaped my style and I think is in a lot of what I do (or at least, I hope it is!). I’ve always been drawn to that type of storytelling and to clowning; I think I find there to be a specific kind of mystery and magic to it that I’m fascinated by and keeps me curious to discover more. The Giraffe itself was born at École Philippe Gaulier, and then had its infancy in Edinburgh, where I kind of learned how to walk (or maybe crawl would be a better word!) It was this beautifully chaotic adventure, performing at all the AMs and PMs I could fit in during the days I was there. I learned a lot during that time. I guess now we’re moving into the toddler years as we approach this first full hour, time to bang my head on some hard objects and try tasting some new things!
Who or what are your comedy influences?
My Avó (Grandma). She has always been that for me and is the funniest person I know, her spirit definitely runs through the Giraffe and she may or may not make an appearance in the show at some point on 21st..! Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton are of course major inspirations — I study them! Gene Kelly too, in a different way, though I’m still a long way off dancing like him! At the moment, I’m most excited by the work being created now and influenced by the people I am lucky enough to look up to and learn from. Some up close, as friends, and others from afar: the Sheep Soup family, Amando Houser, Anna Marie Simonsen, Marie Kallevik Straume, Amanda Tunsberg, Ginger Johnson, the Mr. Cardboard team, Darryl J. Carrington, Julia Masli and Piotr Sikora, just to name a few!
What is your message for the world?
To keep your head in the clouds but your hooves on the ground.
What are your favourite London haunts? (to eat, to watch shows, to be more Giraffe…)
Wherever the clowns are! I love following the travelling alternative comedy nights across the city to wherever they rest their legs and call home for a night or two. This roadmap of London includes stops like Knickers Cabaret, Sheena’s Palace and Scramble!, plus many more. The Pen Theatre is a beautiful and important place for shows, and I like the Green Note for live music. I was also recently introduced to the Curious School of Puppetry in Dalston; housed in a church where magical things happen… puppets, soup, and special people! On my own, it would be anywhere by the river for a walk, Lisboa Patisserie for a coffee and a Nata, and more recently London Zoo, to sit with Molly, Nuru and Wilfred, (the Giraffes).
Occasionally the To Do List team are forced to work together.
Rupert likes: free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
Stuart likes: nice pubs, film marathons, not doing real marathons, bad comedy, plays/musicals with shorter second halves, and the Oxford comma.
