Careering through the Banshee Labrinth Bar at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe came Clown Wars. A variety of acts hosted by O’Connell inhabited the stage in a riotous revolving door of alternative comedy. Characters on 8th of August included a Welsh pervy granny and a musical devious Prince Andrew. Other acts of neurotic health and safety inspectors and Aussie hecklers collided in a brilliant display of bizarre comedy and clownery.
Unique to the 8th’s performance came an unfortunate intrusion by an unwanted intoxicated patron who seemed intent on unsettling the performers and audience. O’Connell and comrades dutifully carried on and handled the difficult situation with on-point wit and appropriate concern. The show demonstrated the hazards of live performance after 1am during the first week of the Fringe and rose to the challenge. Hats (and noses) Off!
