Another page in my Dumfries Diaries project – Todd Various of a highly acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe group, Let’s Circus, brought his act to the town’s High Street. His lively and entertaining performance was part of In Our Town two-month event programme commissioned by the council to boost the town centre weekend life.
I was drawn to this outdoor show by the sound of clapping and roars of laughter from Todd’s spectators. My style of photography naturally gravitates towards high energy, interractive subjects so I hurried along to the source of those cheers.
Todd Various is well-known for his quirky sense of humor and use of audience in performing his tricks. As I arrived, a young kid wearing the performer’s trademark V-hat was recruited to aid in the comedian’s warm up routine to build a rapport with a kind-hearted Dumfries crowd.
Adults and kids were treated to jokes galore and some tricks. The latter included Various swallowing a balloon in front of an amazed audience (really, how did he do it?). The show finished with a Houdini-style escape from a straight jacket and chains while balancing on a Pelican case.
It was great to be able to capture this talented guy perform in Dumfries!
