The Naked Clown Saving Literature, One Penguin at a Time

The Comedy of Nudity

When you think of clowns, you probably picture a circus performer with red noses and oversized shoes. But Damien Warren-Smith's alter ego, Garry Starr, turns that image on its head in his show Garry Starr: Classic Penguins. The premise is delightfully absurd—Starr, a self-proclaimed penguin who believes he's part of the Penguin Classics literary family, sets out to save both literature and penguins by performing every Penguin Classic novel in an hour. And yes, he does it all while completely naked.

"It's me as Garry Starr, who's this kind of idiot character who's attempting to save literature by performing every Penguin Classic novel ever written in the space of an hour, thus saving both penguins and literature from extinction," Warren-Smith told Newsweek.

The nakedness isn't just for shock value—it's part of the costume, as Garry believes he is a penguin. And because penguins don't wear pants, there's no need for him to either. It's a clever bit of narrative logic that makes you forget about the nudity entirely once the show begins.

A Master of Modern Clowning

Warren-Smith is no ordinary clown. Trained at prestigious institutions like École Philippe Gaulier in Paris and Atelier des Mimes in Berlin, he approaches clowning with a sophistication that's rarely seen today. His performances are deeply personal and emotionally honest—what he calls "clowning through therapy."

"It's almost like going through therapy until you can come out the other end and go, okay, I'm ready to be laughed at now," Warren-Smith says. "I used to be laughed at, and now I've put all of those things into a little container, and I'm just feeding it to the audience. It's uniquely me."

This evolution of clowning, where humiliation is transformed into art, is what makes Garry Starr so compelling. Unlike traditional circus clowns who perform for laughs, Garry Starr's humor comes from an intimate vulnerability that audiences can't help but connect with.

The Genius of the Absurd

What's perhaps most remarkable about Classic Penguins is how seamlessly it blends humor with heart. Audiences often come expecting a comedy spectacle, but leave feeling like they've experienced something meaningful. The show isn't just about laughing at Garry's ridiculous quest—it's about celebrating the power of literature.

"The people who aren't told about the nudity and come and see the show, I would say almost unanimously say the same thing: I'm so glad I didn't know about the nudity, because I wouldn't have come, but I'm so glad that I did, because you forget very quickly about it. The nudity is just there, and then it becomes a costume," Warren-Smith notes.

This transformation of discomfort into comedic relief is a hallmark of great clowning—something that many modern performers are missing. It's not enough to be funny anymore; audiences want to feel seen, understood, and perhaps even challenged by the performance.

Why This Matters

In an age where everything feels predictable, Garry Starr offers a refreshingly original experience. He's not just saving literature—he's reviving the art of clowning itself. And it's working. The show has traveled the world, selling out shows in cities across the globe. What started as a small, niche idea has become a movement.

"Every time I do this, I'm constantly surprised by how much it changes," he says. "Unlike standup, where I kind of know where the laughs are going to come, with clown, if you do something and people laugh, you can do it again, then change it, then surprise it and subvert it, and the laughter builds."

It's a reminder that in performance—especially in comedy—the most memorable moments often happen when you least expect them. Garry Starr isn't just entertaining; he's transforming the very concept of what it means to be a clown today.

Behind the Scenes: The Evolution of a Performer

Warren-Smith's journey from actor to clown wasn't linear. After 15 years of acting, he discovered theater clowning in Edinburgh, where he saw a show by Spy Monkey that would change his life. Inspired, he retrained as a clown, studying with Philippe Gaulier, the legendary master of the craft.

He formed a clown troupe called The Plague of Idiots and became the MC boss character known as Garry Starr. The character evolved from a joke into something more profound—a representation of the human condition wrapped in absurdity and laughter.

The show has been performed over 300 times, and each performance is unique. It's a testament to the power of spontaneity and improvisation in live theater. "I deliberately keep my name off everything," he says, because he wants audiences to believe they're seeing Garry Starr, not a performer in disguise.

Final Thoughts

Garry Starr is more than just a show; it's an experiment in storytelling and performance. It takes the absurd and turns it into something deeply moving. In our increasingly serious world, we need performers like Warren-Smith who remind us that humor can be a powerful vehicle for change.

His naked mission to save literature might seem like a joke, but it's a beautiful, sincere one. And if you're lucky enough to see Garry Starr live, prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience—one where laughter, vulnerability, and the love of books come together in perfect comedic chaos.