Arne Zaslove’s house in Seattle is overflowing with a spectacular collection of masks, puppets, figurines, and clown and entertainer memorabilia that he has gathered through over 60 years as a director, teacher, and performer of physical theatre and clowning.

I spent four days with Arne as he used the collection to demonstrate the history of physical comedy, the use of masks and puppets, and the importance of comedy to society as a healing and truth-telling serum. How can sad clowns make us laugh? Why is slipping on a banana peel funny, or is it? From Commedia del Arte and Punch and Judy through Buster Keaton and today’s stand-up and nightly news comedians, the journey reveals why we all need to laugh and how comedy unmasks tragedy.

The film will also feature a wealth of footage from the history of circus, physical theatre, films, and television. I am currently editing this 70 minute feature documentary.