HIGH TEA with BOOFF is a work of installation clown theatre. The show tours with its own venue – a richly detailed lounge room replete with custom made furniture, bespoke chandeliers, shared stories and piping hot tea. The work deploys auto-biographical storytelling and narrative-driven clowning.
BOOFF is a regal, mischief-loving high-status impresario. Disarmingly charming and resplendent in full-face make-up and tailored suit – he looks as if he may have sprung from a lost collaboration between Barry Humphries, Lewis Carroll, Tim Burton and Julian Clary. With a twinkle in his eye, a glint of mischief, perhaps even buffoonery... BOOFF wants you to love him, and as soon as you do, he wants you to laugh with him. Physically and verbally ridiculous, BOOFF can’t blend in, but then he doesn’t really try.
Anchored in true shared stories, the audience experience is akin to a visit with your favourite aunt – a surreal tea-party that's partly scripted and partly improvised. As a character, BOOFF is a larger-than-life persona in whose company all people are equal, and all are equally worthy of reverence or ribaldry. The heart of the show’s appeal is BOOFF - who is both other-worldly and transgressive; at once strong and vulnerable; uniquely himself whilst also emblematic of us all - in the way that true clowns are reflective of the universal human condition.
HIGH TEA with BOOFF has been created to service the festival, community, and corporate markets – globally – oscillating, (depending on the audience), between a PG – R Rating. BOOFF resonates with a wide range of program platforms from contemporary performance programs to queer, comedy, theatre, cabaret and arts festivals, to community and corporate events – even on a barge floating down the Brisbane River; the possibilities are limitless.
The production is housed within an air-conditioned custom-built 20ft shipping container that expands to create a 6m x 5m venue. The container is a high-cube style unit - with extra height than standard - that has been richly transformed down to the finest detail.
Humbly boasting a 151 SOLD OUT Performance Season across 5 Festivals in 2021/2022 – during the COVID19 Pandemic – BOOFF has returned from his holiday off the beaches of Barbados and is looking forward to hearing audiences once again exclaiming to their friends – “I Just Got BOOFF’D!”
Website: www.highteawithbooff.com
CREATIVE TEAM
Creator, Co-Writer & Performer: Clint BolsterCo-Writer & Director: Damien CassidyProducers: Debbie Wilks, Kate Malone and Charles Wiles - Cluster ArtsAssociate Producer: Rob TannionCorporate Enquiries: Allie WildeProduction Designer: Josh McIntoshLighting Designer: Jason GlenwrightSound Designer & Technical Manager: Guy WebsterProduction Manager & Stage Managers: Ben Mills, Allie Wilde & Marissa HillarVideographer: Tnee DyerPhotographers: Justin Ma & Barbara LowingCostume Designers: Joanne Farer & Barbara KerrWig Maker: Elise PontionWig Stylists: Rebecca Anthony & Michael GreenClown Nose Maker: Tony KishawiMakeup Designer: Julieanne EdwardsScript Sound Board: Penny Everingham
HIGH TEA with BOOFF has been assisted by The Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts funding and advisory body and the Queensland Government through the Arts Queensland Showcase Program and Playing Queensland Quick Response Grant.
★★★★★
"OMG we LOVED BOOFF!"Audience Member
★★★★★
"Another magical HIGH TEA with BOOFF - BOOFF was enchanting as always, uniquely entertaining!"Audience Member
★★★★★
"What a truly hilarious evening with BOOFF. Our faces are literally hurting from laughing so much!"Audience Member
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"HIGH TEA with BOOFF Is a rare and splendid opportunity to step briefly off this troubled planet and go BOOFFing. My first BOOFF was a few months ago at Noosa. I was BOOFFED again last night. And I'm getting another BOOFFING on Saturday night. Oh god, I hope this isn't habit-forming...When BOOFF was live-streaming during the first COVID lockdown I won a prize, the BOOFF MEMORIAL PINEAPPLE DISH. He autographed it for me but it rubbed off so I took it to last night's show to be re-signed. BOOFF is simply World-Class!”Audience Member
★★★★★"In an age where clowns reveal our hidden self, BOOFF is both sharp and insightful, yet aware of the provocations which are designed to unlock insights. BOOFF invites us to unite as we focus on the particular, the unusual, the rare. BOOFF is a masterwork, that will leave you feeling uncomfortably settled."Paul Bishop
★★★★★ "HIGH TEA with BOOFF was exactly what the doctor ordered for Cairns Festival. Staff, crew and audiences across all ages and backgrounds, were at once mystified and left in stitches and sometimes shaking their heads wondering what just happened. The sights and sounds associated with the work created a buzz in our region that is still rippling, and has ignited many ideas for capacity building and development within our own region. A fantastic team to work with, communication lines are always open and negotiable – it just makes the experience even sweeter. Can’t wait to see what else Booff comes up with!"Cairns Festival
★★★★★"Such an amazing talent - BOOFF for Primeminister!"Audience Member
★★★★★"We went to HIGH TEA with BOOFF in Townsville with a group of 6 and had just a superb time!!! One of my friends on the walk home said she would die happy now that she has been BOOFFED!!!" Audience Member
★★★★★"Simply wonderous! Stunningly dark, delightfully twisted with a hint of romance!" Audience Member
★★★★★"HIGH TEA with BOOFF was an exceptional one-of-a-kind performance. It is like nothing you have ever experienced before, and one you won’t soon forget! Definite must see for all festival goers."The North Australian Festival Of Arts
Clown Show