Iceland is so far not known for its clowns. However, that might be about the change with Jellyboy the Clown, who recently stunned the world with his tour de force of a performance at America’s Got Talent. Jelly Boy rammed blades down his throat while performing incredible, and may I say highly dangerous stunts. I do not need to describe Jellyboy’s stunts in detail; watch the incredible performance video below. Those who are faint of heart might want to look away at times! You have been warned! The response from the audience and the judges at America’s Got Talent was rapturous approval and well deserved. Personally, I have to say if I got such a positive response in person from Sofia Vergara, I would retire. There would be nothing more to achieve. But that is just me!
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Video: Jellyboy performs at America Got Talent
Jellyboy is Iceland’s most famous clown. actually, its only famous clown!
But the thing is, Jellyboy lives in Iceland. His ‘real name’ is Eric Broomfield, who has lived here for a few years. He has an Icelandic wife, Aðalheiður Flosadóttir, and the live here in Iceland with their child. Jelly Boy is part of a circus sideshow called Squidling Brothers, specializing in danger comedy variety. Previously, Jelly Boy has performed worldwide, including a stint at the Coney Island Circus in New York. In Iceland, he is a part of the Coney Iceland group, which bills itself as the only circus freakshow in Iceland. But how did Jelly Boy’s journey lead him to Iceland?
Jellyboy, having you here for this interview is a pleasure. Your performance at America’s Got Talent was truly remarkable. Could you share with us how you got the opportunity to perform there? And what was it like to be on that stage at that moment?
As far as how I got the audition with AGT, a fellow sword swallower who was on the show last season named Andrew Stanton from the swing shift sideshow in Las Vegas recommended me and I was contacted by a producer and we created the act to fit the format of the show out of different stunts I created previously. Being on stage was fun because I like being an underdog going against the odds and dispelling stereotypes about clowns. It was definitely the most people who have ever seen my act all at once and it was electrifying! Lots of things went wrong but the clown gods were with me and helped the slips and stumbles work to my advantage.
You have traveled and performed all over the world. What brought you to Iceland?
I came to Iceland to make shows on a tour I was doing in Europe and Scandinavia is 2018 with Miss Mokki, the burlesque queen of Iceland and to produce my own show Coney Iceland. While I was here I saw the northern lights and drove around the county side to waterfalls and then I fell in love with a beautiful Elf who I’m married to now.
What is the Icelandic performance scene like? I’m sure it’s quite different from what you are used to, and I’m curious to learn more about it.
The scene in Reykjavik is small, we have drag shows and burlesque shows. Some circus variety shows and stand up comedy. I fit into all these little subcultures doing what I do. The audiences vary from very small to packed clubs.
What are your favorite Icelandic performers and venues that you want to introduce to my readers?
4)my favorite venues are Gaukurinn, the basement of the National Theater, and Idno.
Can you reveal any new projects of yours to my readers?
New projects, I just published a book called Memoirs of a Coney Island clown (Jellyboy’s sideshow saga) it going to be available on my website and at Nexus.
It’s an autobiography of how I became the clown that I am. It gives the reader a look behind the curtain of what life is like for a modern day underground circus sideshow performer.
I’m also working on a new documentary about my troupe the Squidling Brothers circus sideshow called Dark imagination Party in collaboration with film maker Steve W. Thomson. It is going to have a of Icelandic landscape and influence in the movie even though it’s about traveling the whole wide world.
What are your favorite activities and places here in Iceland?
My favorite part of Iceland is driving out of the city in any direction and being abducted by the hidden people of the lava fields! I love hot springs and crazy landscapes Iceland has to offer
What advice would you give to those visiting Iceland for the first time?
For people coming here for the first time I would recommend in the summer or fall to get a camper or a jeep you can sleep in and have some adventures along the coast or drive through the Black desert in the middle of the country between glaciers. In the winter I would say be cozy, seek hot spring to watch northern lights from or rent a bubble dome for star gazing.
