Where in the world am I today?: Red Deer, AB, Canada
Prologue: I had heard about Fraser Hooper from friend and fellow performer Jon Hicks. Upon Jon’s recommendation I had checked out Fraser’s website and gotten a bit familiar with the nature of his work. He had also provided some inspiration for some logistical challenges I was facing with my soon to debut “Hot Dog Show,” but I hadn’t actually met the man until I arrived in Edmonton for the Edmonton International Street Performer’s Festival. The fact that we’re more or less the same age, both are married with two kids and both love performing gave us plenty to talk about and we quickly became friends. I’ve long been a member of the hype school of performing and I loved watching the success that Fraser has in his show by taking a completely different approach. His slow deliberate clowning style wallowed in moments far longer than I’ve ever feel comfortable with, but it was amazing to see how well he was able to sculpt these moments into pure comedy gold!
STATS
Name: Fraser Hooper
Birthday: August 10, 1967
Place of Birth: London, England
Started Performing/Working in the Industry: 1990
Discipline: Clown
Websites: – http://www.fraserhooper.com
Video Link: http://www.fraserhooper.com/showreel.htm
Venues Worked: Theatres, Street Festivals, Galas, Cabaret, Cruise Ships, Parks, TV.
Hot 10 Questions:
- What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream and why? • I usually have at least one ice cream a day, there are so many to choose from that it wouldn’t be fair to pick a favourite.
- Name one movie that would make it to your Top 10 all-time great films. • Toy Story 2.
- What was your favorite toy from childhood? • Scalextric.
- Who were your biggest inspirations when you got started? • Chaplin, Nola Rae, Avner, Jacques Tati.
- From the world of animation what one character do you most identify with or see yourself in? • Woody from Toy Story.
- Name something that scares you. • Cheese and loosing my glasses.
- Apart from the entertainment industry, name one other job you’ve had. • Menswear manager.
- What’s something you haven’t done yet that you’d like to try? • Making hats.
- What’s your least favourite thing about being a performer? • Being away from my family.
- If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? • “Tickets please.“
The Nugget:
Pick one nugget of wisdom you’ve picked up from your career in Show Business to share with the World.
“When I first started a friend saw my show and for me it went really badly which I expressed to him as soon as I had left the stage. He said “never ruin the audiences experience by rubbishing what you did”. It was obvious but a great lesson to learn early on.”
–Fraser Hooper
