THE STORY

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Clown Riot is a story about feeling caught between two worlds. 

Eleven-year-old Curley sweeps the floor at the local firehall, but dreams of something different… something far away and magical. When a circus comes to town bringing its menagerie of clowns, gymnasts, and fantastic animals, Curley is offered an escape from the threat of a mundane existence… But does the promise of self-fulfillment come at too high a cost? Is the glamour of a life on the road really what it appears to be? Is it just a shiny illusion? 

Clown Riot tells the spectacular true story of clowns and firemen, brawls and brothels, death-defying escape acts and a mob of angry protestants… all set against the backdrop of 1850s Toronto: a city on the brink of industrial and political revolution.

A brand new vision from co-creators Tyrone Savage & Christo Graham.

The city is at a pivotal moment in history—on the brink of industrial and political revolution. As more and more come from away in search of a better life, the settlers of Toronto boast their position as the latest greatest epicentre of modern civilization. 

Eleven-year-old orphan Curley sweeps the floor at the fire hall under his brash caregiver, Joseph Bird. Since the death of Curley’s father, a fellow firefighter, Curley has been living at the fire hall with the promise that one day soon he will ride the wagon as a real fireman. 

Curley is unsatisfied with his life and feels destined for bigger better things. He has learned to cope with his situation by nervously holding his breath at night and dreaming of escaping Bird and the firehall. When he sees a flyer for SB Howes’ American Circus, he is intrigued by its fantastic spectacle and promise of an “escape”. 

Meanwhile, the circus rolls down the road in a shabby caravan of wagons. Its performers, including Jim Myers and Rose Madigan, lament the irony of a life that everybody dreams of but nobody seems happy living. 

Back at the firehall, the members of the Hook and Ladder #4, including Bird, prepare to march in the annual Orangeman’s Day parade. When Curley interrupts asking to go to the circus, he is ordered to get ready for the parade and to stay away from such nonsense. 

During the Orange March, the circus troupe also parades through the streets of Toronto and Curley gets a glimpse at the glamour of this other world. Bird tells Curley to hurry home and tells him he can start work on the wagons the next morning, earning his first pay. Bird hands Curley a coin in advance... 

Curley promptly takes his coin to the admission booth at the fairgrounds, where he witnesses the spectacle of SB Howes’ menagerie and circus. With its peanuts, popcorn, clowns and acrobats... it is paradise for an eleven year old! A fortune teller gets his attention with a vision of his father’s death, saying the firemen may be responsible. Before she can elaborate, the show begins with a magic act with Myers and Madigan. They call for a volunteer and Curley steps up— this could be his chance! In front of the audience, the couple praises Curley for his involvement, but as they head backstage, Curley sees behind the curtain. He asks if they’re hiring and if he can join — they laugh and say “don’t hold your breath”. Curley remembers his nervous habit and does just that — impressing them with his lung power! 

Myers and Madigan argue over hiring the boy — Myers thinks he’ll be useful for a water escape act and come in handy as free labour. Madigan reminds Myers that he once told her the circus was no place for a child and that hiring this boy won’t bring him happiness and fulfillment. Myers seems to think Curley will bring joy back into their lives and be their big break! He asks Curley where to get a celebratory drink and the clowns celebrate their new addition by dressing him up like them. 

Later, at Mrs Armstrong’s brothel, the firemen are enjoying an evening of drinking and debauchery when the troupe of clowns barges in. Bird takes offence at this motley ensemble, especially Myers and his hat, which he orders to be removed inside. When Myers ignored his request, Bird demands again and a fight breaks out between the two parties—leaving the firemen beaten. Before Curley escapes with the clowns, Bird sees him in disguise and threatens him with his life, drunkenly telling him he better be on the wagon in the morning or else he’ll have his head. Madigan reprimands Myers for the trouble he’s made for them and laments a world run by men who act like clowns. 

The next morning, she tells Myers to get out of town to avoid ruining their reputation. Bird, humiliated and defied, spreads a rumour that Curley’s been kidnapped by the clowns and resolves to retaliate. The news of the night before is used as propaganda against the circus. Curley is confused and scared, worried that the fortune teller may have been right about his father. The citizens of Toronto lament the heat of midsummer and the bad luck Friday the 13th brings. 

While on the road out of town, Myers begins to see things from a different perspective, knowing that his careless behaviour has led to the potential harm of the innocent Curley. Back in Toronto, Bird has a similar moment understanding that his actions have pushed Curley away, and both resolve to face the other for the good of the boy. 

Bird assembles the firemen and calls for the gathering of every Orangeman to take revenge on the kidnapping clowns who intend to corrupt Curley. They descend upon the circus grounds to burn the bigtop and send the clowns packing. 

Meanwhile, back at the circus, the performers have been rehearsing for a show without Myers. Acts are shuffled and improvised to accommodate the last-minute change of personnel, and Curley’s water escape act will have its debut as the finale. 

Bird shows up at the circus just before showtime looking for Myers. He orders the mob to force the wagons and animals into the lake. As the riot ensues, Bird finds Curley, who tells him he won’t be going back to the firehall. Bird tries to make Curley see that the life in the circus will not give him a new family, but Madigan comes between them and pleads with Bird that Curley’s talents should be nurtured and that he could be a success. Just as Bird begins to understand that maybe Curley is destined for great things, Myers returns and challenges Bird to a duel. His pride still hurt from the night before, Bird accepts and orders Curley to escape to the lake away from the burning circus tent. Myers and Madigan order him to the lake, away from Bird’s clutches. While Madigan tries to break up Myers and Bird, Curley runs into Lake Ontario where he is caught beyond his depth... 

From below the surface of the water, time slows down and Curley sees the big picture of the last 24 hours — such massive damage stemming from something so insignificant. As he runs out of oxygen, he feels responsible and guilty for wanting to follow his dream, but also sees the childish way the adults in his life have behaved. 

An article is published in the evening paper about Lawrence Curley, age 11, who drowned in the lake after attending the circus. 

Toronto’s Mayor finally arrives on the scene of the riot and stops a fireman from killing a clown with a fire axe. He reprimands both parties for engaging in such reckless behaviour and fires the police force for not interfering. Bird and Myers blame each other for Curley’s death, professing they are not sorry and that given the chance, they would do it again. 

Curley, having performed a different kind of water escape act from the lake, resolves to leave his hometown and start fresh with a new and exciting plan. He takes a deep breath and catches a ride on a new steam engine leaving Toronto...