Canadian Mark Lonergan came to his craft through theater, dance, and circus. He’d grown up with Charlie Chaplin, but it was the introduction to Buster Keaton that set him on a path of physical comedy, first as a thespian, then a director. The art is called physical comedy to distinguish it from clowning, though there’s much in common. It’s “using one’s face and body, getting into predicaments that make audience laugh…” he tells me. Intention is to create something Keatoneque – but live, sometimes a story, at other times a situation.
Kyle Driggs, Ryan Shinji, Saffi Watson – I’ll Take It
In 1997, with two friends, Lonergan applied to the inaugural Fringe Festival in New York and was accepted. “For whatever reason, one of those crazy happenstances, the photo from our show was printed on the front page of The New York Times Arts Section to highlight the event. It was a big deal.”
A grant from Theatre Ontario allowed him to work here six months with HERE’s then artistic director Kristen Marting during which time the first stage of his green card was approved. “I was lucky with timing. I don’t know whether I’d try to do that now,” he admits darkly. Mark went back and forth, then in 2002, transported Parallel Exit to New York.
The company mounted shows at Collective Unconscious on Ludlow Street, The Theatorium on Stanton Street, The Joyce Soho and Soho Rep. The former are long gone, the latter two moved. “There are very few places where you can do what we’re doing which is to try out a new idea in front of an audience,” he muses with a sigh. Parallel Exit now performs at Kyle Driggs’ 3AM Theatre in Queens. Driggs is in both I’ll Take It and Sunset Circus.
Randy Kato inside Wheel; Joel Jeske – Sunset Circus
During The Pandemic, Joel Jeske came up with the idea of Sunset Circus, a seven member ostensibly traveling troop whose family dynamics come into play as they perform. They joined The Big Apple Circus when it was still non-profit, staying several seasons. Next, the company mounted their own shows, first outdoors, then at Lincoln Center and The Manhattan JCC. Both physical theater pieces and circus can be booked all year. The circus has a larger cast and needs space for aerial elements.
“Before The Pandemic, sponsored by LEAP, we taught classes in schools. Let’s Join the Circus was a performance/instruction program,” he says. Directorship of LEAP changed. Lonergan got very busy. “It’s a wing of the company we have to resuscitate.” Summers the director takes two artists, a juggler and a clown, to perform all over Brooklyn at libraries. Other boroughs need to step up.
Left: Kyle Driggs and Andrea Murillo; Right: Malen Ortiz – Sunset Circus
Every participant additionally freelances. Commitment is paramount. It’s a difficult field in which to sustain oneself. Lonergan is about to work with Opera North of New Hampshire on a production of The Little Prince. He directed The Big Apple Circus for three years and spent five helming Circus Smirkus which trains performers from ten to 18. His two main collaborators, Joel Jeske and Kyle Driggs, have both been directors, teachers, and creators of their own shows as well as performers.
Physical Theater is in its third year of convening during Physfest in New York City, June 8, 2025 at
Stella Adler Center for the Arts. Key elements of the genre include improvisation, incorporation of dance techniques, little or no dialogue, breaking the fourth wall. Companies might employ visual art, puppetry, video, or music.
I’ll Take It
The all day event features workshops, performances and networking opportunities for both curious and professional of all ages. Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd here, Étienne Decroux and Jean-Louis Barrault in France inspired actor/master clown Bill Irwin and actor/master mime Bill Bowers. There are physical theater companies all over the world.
“How many circuses are extant in the U.S.?” I ask. Apparently The American Circus Alliance is trying to answer that question. Mark suspects there are at least 50 who perform outside, in tents, and on stage. 3AM is hoping to build community. In July, Mark will go to Montreal to present to a room full of people who might book Parallel Exit or I’ll Take It. The company has no agent, yet has managed to play abroad as well as nationally.
Ryan Shinji, Kyle Driggs, Saffi Watson – I’ll Take It
Are there women among you? The short answer is yes. “I used to think this must be something only men do. I was completely wrong,” he says. “There are some fantastically funny women in the business. In this country, the model is often Lucille Ball.” Like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, notable physical film comedians often worked with women who helped make them look good.
It’s heartening to know these age old arts are kept alive. Without language barriers, any culture can understand, delight, and laugh.
All quotes are Mark Lonergan
All Photos courtesy of Parallel Exit
Photos of I’ll Take It – Jim Moore
Photos of Sunset Circus – Maike Schulz
Opening – Mark Lonergan by Marc Goldberg
World Premiere of I’ll Take It– Three friends, one box, infinite possibilities
May 22-24, 2025
“Parrallel Exit has a knack for conjuring Charlie Chaplin and then giving him a demented twist.” The New York Times
3AM Theatre 920 35th Avenue Astoria Queens
Circus Organizations
American Circus Alliance
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