‘Weer’ Marks a New Era for Clown Comedy—and Cherry Lane Theater
In a bold fusion of absurdity, vulnerability, and theatrical innovation, comedian and performance artist Natalie Palamides has taken over New York’s historic Cherry Lane Theater with her genre-defying show Weer. The production—her first long-running solo engagement in the venue’s newly renovated space—is being hailed as a landmark moment in contemporary clowning.
What Is ‘Weer’?
Described by critics as “mind-scrambling” and “emotionally kaleidoscopic,” Weer blends slapstick, audience interaction, surreal narrative twists, and moments of raw pathos. Palamides—who gained fame for her Edinburgh Fringe hit Nate—uses clowning not just for laughs, but as a lens to explore identity, trauma, and human fragility.
Why This Run Matters
- Historic Venue: Cherry Lane Theater, founded in 1924, recently underwent a $12 million renovation; Weer is its first extended solo show post-revamp.
- Genre Evolution: Palamides pushes clowning beyond circus tropes into avant-garde theater territory.
- Critical Acclaim: Early reviews call it “a masterclass in controlled chaos” and “the future of live comedy.”
Natalie Palamides: By the Numbers
| Achievement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Breakout Show | Nate (2018 Edinburgh Fringe, Total Theatre Award) |
| TV/Film Work | Writer/performer on Bluey, Adventure Time, and I Think You Should Leave |
| ‘Weer’ Runtime | 85 minutes, no intermission |
| Cherry Lane Run | September 2025 – January 2026 |
Clowning as Catharsis
“Palamides doesn’t just wear a red nose—she weaponizes it,” wrote one reviewer. In Weer, laughter often gives way to silence, then to tears, then to collective unease. It’s this emotional oscillation that defines her work and redefines what clowning can achieve on stage.
[INTERNAL_LINK:Experimental Theater]
