★★★★★
"The Knock' Em Downs is an odd-ball pop-up show by local clowning royalty Clint Bolster and Annie Lee. Transforming a circus tent into an old sideshow, this experience was stocked with classic carnival games prepped and primed for audience participation."
Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane
BOLSTER & LEE
If John Cleese had kids with Lucille Ball, the results might be Bolster and Lee.
With their strong rapport, Annie and Clint became creative collaborators in 2004 and have continued to develop characters to play together ever since. From crazy male duos and siblings of all sorts to mother and son teams and various clowns, these two talents have paired their uniquely funny souls with considerable skills to significant effect.
Bolster, and Lee employ their individual differences in height, sex and age to particular advantage. Together they create warm and relatable characters in their endearing nature yet curiously unsettling in their imposing eccentricities. This distinctive duo possesses an outlandishly powerful sense of the ridiculous that will make you laugh and wonder…what might happen next?
The Knock' Em Downs
Take a trip back in time to the side shows of old...
★★★★★
"A smash hit, brilliant and hilarious."
Brisbane Festival
★★★★★
"Our audiences kept on going back for more! Worldclass!"
★★★★★
"Genius!"
Woodford Folk Festival
★★★★★
"This oddball encounter is guaranteed to make you laugh!"
The Brookfield Show
★★★★★
"Lee and Bolster were painfully ambivalent, even indifferent, to anyone and everyone's presence. And best of all, when the audience's participation didn't cut the mustard, they did not attempt to hide their disappointment. If your ball-throwing skills were aimless, you knew it. You knew it if you took too long to hand over your ticket. If your hoop throws onto the pointy clown noses were lacklustre, you knew it. And not just because of the clown's body language – with impatient eyes and slouched shoulders – but also because of the 'loser' sound queue they'd hit each time someone's efforts deserved public condemnation. I'm sure you're reading this thinking, 'that sounds bloody awful, but rest assured, everyone left the tent smiling. I couldn't tell you how, but under the clown's eye rolls and sighs, there was something so lovable. Even the little baby in front of me who sat atop the clown's table was smiling furiously, which only made the clown's eye rolls bigger and their sighs louder."
Nothing Ever Happens In Brisbane
The Knock' Em Downs is a comically interactive and visually engaging trip back in time to the side shows of old. Step inside the colorful carnival tent and experience a crazy world of fun and games, where nostalgia has taken a curious twist and the carnies have turned into clowns!
Meet Bernie & Roach, two fools who are out to fool you. With Bernie & Roach, you can expect more than just a tasty bite…
Featuring a variety of sideshow games sure to test your skill, with big prizes to be won, this oddball encounter will have you wishing you'd brought along your granny.
PAST & CURRENT TOURS
Woodford Folk Festival, QLD- 2023/24
Cairns Festival, QLD - 2023
The Brookfield Show, QLD - 2023
The Joondalup Festival, WA - 2023
Brisbane Festival, QLD - 2022
ACCESSIBILITY
100% Visual content
No Dialogue
Wheel Chair Access
Stobe Lighting
Sudden Loud Sound Affects
CREATIVE TEAM
Co-Creator, Co-Writer & Clown Performer: Clint Bolster
Co-Creator, Co-Writer & Clown Performer: Annie Lee
Executive Producers: Debbie Wilks & Kate Malone - Cluster Arts
Associate Producer: Rob Tannion
Corporate & Event Enquiries: Allie Wilde
Grant Support: Ann Mclean
Production Designer: Josh McIntosh
Lighting Designer: Jason Glenwright
Sound Designer & Technical Manager: Guy Webster
Stage Manager: Liam Caneris
Videographer: Tnee Dyer
Photographers: Justin Ma & Barbara Lowing
Costume Designer: Josh McIntosh
Costume Maker: Jim Ioannides
Touring Logistics: Road Pro Event Services
Venue Construction: Extreme Marquees
Clown Nose Maker: Tony Kishawi
Electrician: Sparky Marc
BOLSTER & LEE have been assisted by the Queensland Government through the Arts Queensland Showcase Program
FOR FESTIVALS, TOURS & VENUE BOOKINGS
CONTACT
Debbie Wilks
Director
debbie@clusterarts.com
0433 554 801
Kate Malone
Executive Producer
kate@clusterarts.com
0448 115 698
FOR CORPORATE & EVENT BOOKINGS
CONTACT
Allie Wilde
Director
allie@wildeapplause.com
0414 437 741