John Simpson’s Unique Career Transition: From Crime Reporting to Clowning

John Simpson, a former crime reporter, experienced a dramatic career shift by transitioning from journalism to clowning, a profession that involves a distinct approach to adversity. Unlike traditional circus clowns, Simpson engages in theater clowning, which doesn’t include the common features like a big red nose or exaggerated costumes.

In his acts, failure can be part of the experience. For example, Simpson often portrays a pompous spiritual guru expecting a ceremonial setup, only to find none. The audience improvises, turning the scenario humorous. When the guru loses his temper, he shouts positive affirmations like, “I am a kind and loving man who wants to inspire people.”

Simpson’s journalistic career spanned 11 years with The Times of London and as home affairs editor at The Observer. He covered significant topics such as organized crime and murder investigations. Highlighted in one of his accounts, Simpson once worked undercover as a football hooligan and even solved a murder.

Now, he performs and teaches clowning, transforming the very essence of comedy. Unlike stand-up comedians who make jokes, Simpson emphasizes that a clown is the joke. His career change story stirred interest during a Morning Edition meeting. Many attendees knew someone who attended clown school, including family members and colleagues.

Simpson believes in the growing interest in clowning, attributing it to a societal yearning for meaning, authenticity, and humanity amidst a climate perceived as losing these values.

Tim Reid, a doctoral student from New York University, explained the varied landscape of clown school. He noted workshops and classes popping up in major cities across the United States, Canada, and Europe, indicating that the appeal for clowning is widespread.

Clown school isn’t strictly defined, and often refers to workshops rather than degree-granting programs. These workshops have filled spaces once occupied by traditional acting programs, no specific prerequisites required. Reid compares this phenomenon to the past surge in improvisation classes.

The popularity of clowns, Reid posits, relates more to a sense of danger or threat than to connecting with our humanity. Clowns embody moral ambiguity, critiquing power while also aligning with it.

Simpson’s path to clowning did not stem from any grand theory. Years in journalism, witnessing newsroom crises and sensational headlines, disenchanted him from the field he once loved. Concerned by the news cycle’s focus on violence and despair, he pondered whether he wanted to contribute to it long-term.

His personal life was unraveling, too. Struggling with alcoholism, he found recovery after discovering a clown course recommended by a retired comedian. Hundreds of hours of training followed, focusing on the simple act of being visible in a room.

Much of modern clown training revolves around the idea of the ‘flop.’ Simpson learned that acknowledging mistakes honestly becomes part of the performance, allowing audiences to see vulnerability.

Simpson says clowning’s appeal lies beyond failure; it facilitates real-world connections away from tech and social media. While similar to platforms like TikTok in reacting to audience engagement, clowning remains a reflection of personal interaction.

Simpson now operates Clown Lab workshops and writes for Substack’s The Shiny Things. Although he admits there are more clowns than paying gigs, he relishes a shift from journalism’s critical standpoint to clowning’s commitment to ideas. His journey is a testament to embracing unexpected paths in life.