description Roly Bain Overview
Roly Bain was a British clown and ordained Anglican priest who combined circus performance with Christian ministry. He performed under the persona of a 'clown of God,' using physical comedy and circus arts to communicate theological themes and biblical stories. Bain was one of the more distinctive figures in contemporary British clowning, bridging the worlds of performance art and religious expression. He performed at churches, festivals, and secular venues throughout his career.
help Roly Bain FAQ
Why was Roly Bain called a clown priest?
Roly Bain was an ordained Anglican priest who used circus skills and physical comedy to communicate Christian themes. He performed under the persona Holy Roly, combining sermons with juggling, pratfalls, and other clown routines.
What was Roly Bain’s group Holy Fools?
Holy Fools was an organization connected with clown ministry that Bain helped establish in 1982. It supported the use of clown performance as a way to engage audiences with Christian teaching.
Where did Roly Bain train as a professional clown?
In 1990, Bain spent a year at Fooltime, the Bristol circus-training college now known as Circomedia. He then worked professionally as a clown while continuing his Anglican ministry.
What books did Roly Bain write about clown ministry?
Bain wrote Fools Rush In in 1993, Clowning Glory with Patrick Forbes in 1995, and the memoir Playing the Fool in 2001. These books reflect his unusual combination of Christian ministry and performance.
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