THE STORY
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 CREATORS
Christo Graham
Christo Graham
Christo Graham
Christo Graham is a musician, actor, and graphic designer from Bishop’s Mills, Ontario. He has recorded and released eight self-produced albums and performed across Canada, as well as designed posters and promotional material for over 50 theatrical productions. He composed, produced and performed the
music and voice for Margaret Atwood’s
Christo Graham is a musician, actor, and graphic designer from Bishop’s Mills, Ontario. He has recorded and released eight self-produced albums and performed across Canada, as well as designed posters and promotional material for over 50 theatrical productions. He composed, produced and performed the
music and voice for Margaret Atwood’s Angel Catbird, and earned a META nomination for his performance of Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet.
He lives in Stratford with his wife Kelly and their son Reaney.
Tyrone Savage
Christo Graham
Christo Graham
Tyrone is an actor, director and writer based in Stratford, Ontario. He co-created and directed the Dora and Toronto Theatre Critics Award winning Musical Chasse-Galerie for Storefront theatre and Soulpepper. Other directing credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Zoo Story, and The Taming of the Shrew. As an actor, Tyrone has spe
Tyrone is an actor, director and writer based in Stratford, Ontario. He co-created and directed the Dora and Toronto Theatre Critics Award winning Musical Chasse-Galerie for Storefront theatre and Soulpepper. Other directing credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Zoo Story, and The Taming of the Shrew. As an actor, Tyrone has spent seven seasons at the Stratford Festival and worked at theatres across the country.
He’s a avid dog lover, gardener, baker and traveller and so thrilled to be bringing the story of the Toronto Clown Riot to life.
Ginar Ogbit
Christo Graham
Ginar Ogbit
Ginar Ogbit is an artist and animator based in Ottawa, Ontario. She is a graduate of Algonquin College’s Animation program and now works as a 2D animator at Mercury Filmworks. Her love of art is borne out of its ability to communicate the profound, and she aims to help others bring their vision to life.
Outside of animating, she feeds her
Ginar Ogbit is an artist and animator based in Ottawa, Ontario. She is a graduate of Algonquin College’s Animation program and now works as a 2D animator at Mercury Filmworks. Her love of art is borne out of its ability to communicate the profound, and she aims to help others bring their vision to life.
Outside of animating, she feeds her love of storytelling by reading copious amounts of books, taking photographs, and listening to movie soundtracks that inspire all sorts of stories in her imagination.
THE PROCESS
2017
2017
2017
Tyrone & Christo begin researching the story and writing the music.
2018
2017
2017
A one-hour version of Clown Riot is rehearsed and presented by a small troupe of performers at VideoCabaret in Toronto.
2020
2017
2020-2021
Ginar begins scene illustration and character design.
2020-2021
2020-2021
2020-2021
Christo begins recording the Clown Riot solo album.
2022
2020-2021
2022
Christo & Tyrone reunite after two years of working remotely. Ginar's illustrated lyric booklet is completed.