Colchester Fringe Festival 2026
Francisco de Nata: A Giraffe. In A G-String. With a job to do
Francisco de Nata
Genre: Clown, Comedy, Interactive, Physical Comedy, Solo Play, Solo Show
Venue: Headgate Theatre
Festival: Colchester Fringe Festival
Low Down
Francisco De Nata is an impactfully powerful and hilarious clown. I did not expect a giraffe in a g-string would make me tear up, but that’s the magic of fringe theatre.
Review
Francisco de Nata emerges from the curtains. A cheaply made cardboard giraffe neck, a bright yellow outfit, and a cheeky grin — that’s all Francisco de Nata to hold the audience’s attention. Every person studying and learning to clown should see Francisco de Nata. Anyone who loves to laugh should see this giraffe. He is brilliantly entertaining and a fantastic performer. Francisco de Nata won “Best Comedy” at this year’s Colchester Fringe and that is no surprise. This show is spectacular.
In this show, Francisco de Nata does a series of chores which are constantly derailed. Painting the ceiling turns into a wedding. Hanging laundry becomes a musical adventure. Through clever audience participation, every moment keeps the audience engaged. Francisco de Nata does not have to say a word. His movement and physicality are so clear and so damn funny that the show chugs along at a fine pace. When you can literally get the entire audience out of their seat and partying on the stage, you showcase what an infectiously fun performer you are.
What I admire so much about this show is that no matter the age, 0 – 99, you would find something to love. Francisco has crafted such a fine show that can be performed for younger audiences or older audiences with a few more “adult jokes” throughout like it was the night I watched. Brilliant clowning like this is meant for everyone. Only the most sour and heartless audience members would not love this giraffe.
What surprised me most about the show was how heartfelt and beautiful it was. Through most of this comedy, you are wondering what the point is. Why are we here in this theatre with this giraffe? What do they want? Who keeps calling on the phone? What do all these tasks entail and mean? I do not want to spoil anything but it is in that reveal that simply warms the heart. The ending is akin to the end of Paddington Two. It lands with a deeply emotional and thoroughly earned catharsis that is undeniably special. You appreciate far more in hindsight the silliness and strangeness of our journey with this giraffe. I’d be thrilled to see the show again with this appreciation.
Do yourself a favor and take everyone you know to see this giraffe. And who doesn’t love giraffes (especially ones in g-strings)!
