In order of appearance....
Claire Coleman is a founding member of the Festival of Fools since its conception in 1993. She is a qualified teacher, and started performing in 1984 with circus, street shows and cabaret. Claire has worked with a variety of companies and taught many workshops. Since being inspired by The Fools, she has also developed her solo show and toured this in England, Australia and New Zealand, continued to return to play and re-inspire herself with 'The Festival of Fools' inventive form of theatre. Recently she has been teaching performance for adults with learning difficulties, in a young women's prison, and with recovering addicts. She enjoys empowering herself and others into the creative life.
Michael Loader is married to Gail and has a daughter called Rosie. He has been working as a facilitator, storyteller, performer and qualified teacher with young people and adults at home and abroad since 1984, independently, with theatre companies, creative projects and large business corporations. Founder of the 'Romanian Children's Play Project,' co-founder of the Festival of Fools and the 'Communication Lab' in Transylvania. His work enables us to play with our creative spirit.
Marco Koppenhagen has been a musician since learning Boy Scout songs and guitar from his older brother, moving to 'Skiffle Band', 'Dixie Band', 'Navy Joe's Band', to busker in many places and founder member of various folk-rock formations. Instigator of the legendary Permaculture Musical Jamboree' in Leamington Spa, Marco has been an avid traveller /sailor for many years, jamming with musicians in Florida, the Caribbean and Morocco. More recently he has collaborated with 'Mischief and Miracles' and had appearances at various festivals, and his CD, 'Songs of a Bower Bird' was produced in 2000. Since then he has enjoyed collaborating with the Fools, a unique opportunity to play on a wide variety of instruments, including voice, within a foolishly theatrical improvised context.
Jonathan Brown lives with Annika and their daughter, Norah. He has been a teacher, a Community Building (CBiB) facilitator, a mediator, prison visitor, & involved in men's & CB groups in the UK, Australia, & the USA. Street & stage performances followed in 2001 with small Bristol theatre & dance companies. In 2003, after joining Jonathan Kay's Theatre of Now project; he toured with their Fool's Romeo & Juliet. In 2004 he co-led workshops on nutrition, performed street theatre & co-formed Laterna Magika. In 2005 he joined The Festival of Fools (now T&G), & began writing & performing 'The Father Monologues - Parts 1, 2 & 3' taking them to Edinburgh Fringe in 2006, Brighton Fringe 2007 & 2008. He was nominated as Best Male Performer 2007 at Brighton Fringe. His solo show 'Licence' earned 5 & 4 Star reviews at the 2010 Brighton Fringe. His latest plays for a larger cast are 'The Well' (due March 2011), & 'Beef' (due May 2011). He enjoys new voices, which emerge to express the inexpressible. www.jonathan-brown.co.uk