I've written two books and you can download them as pdf's here.
A somewhat pretentiously titled book containing a twenty year spanned chronicle detailing Towns and Cities I've performed in Globally from 'A' to 'Z', 26 chapters.
A far more succinctly labeled book --whilst still containing some typical grandiosity, This Book contains some short stories about some spectacular performers I've met, -including the Pope- and some street theatre based collaborrative writing with the late Robert Nelson-Butterfly-man- and for those looking to experiment in workshopping clown scripts there's a few of them inserted in there too.
Spoilers: Reader Reactions * * * * * *
Perhaps the best reality stories on busking I have ever seen. Ewen's insights into the people, places and situations are the driving force behind his clownish romp around the globe. Every story takes you to a new street corner of his mind. It is simply a superb map showing a clown's journey from A to Z.
A job well done - Joy, sadness, nostalgia and substance abuse all combine for a glorious celebration of the true diversity of humanity. I look forward to the author's next installment.
Wow, what a fun roller-coaster ride of a book! Was very interesting to read professional street performing stories from all around the world, with lots of ups, downs, twists and turns along the way. I hope he releases a Volume 2 someday to add 26 more stories I can read about as it is so interesting to see inside the life and brain of a clown who is trying to make other people happy thus making the world a better place.
I loved this book. It's a spectacular often painful journey into the life and mind of a world class globe-trotting street performer. Martin doesn't hold back, his bitter words hit hard and he describes in detail with great delight some really terrible gigs. He's an outsider, a provocateur and clown, an observer who records with clarity the best and worst of different cultures. What sticks though and is present throughout the book is his passion for his chosen craft and the genuine love for some of his fellow performers. Martin's acerbic writing is dark, sometimes bleak but ultimately liberating, he gives us a rare insight into the street performing world and the wild experiences that have shaped his life.
Martin Ewen brings you along in his tales of travels across the globe as a stilt-walking mime. Ever wanted to know what it's like to be a street performer? A real artist making a living on the festival and street corner circuit? Martin is a brilliant storyteller and this volume leaves the reader wishing that there were more letters in the alphabet.
Panto Damascus was a revelation to me. In addition to being witty, insightful, articulate; Martin writes with compassion and generosity. Each of the 26 chapters captured the spirit of performing from an interesting and affirming angle. And I felt grateful, again and again, to know someone out there understood several of the sometimes isolating experiences of busking and performing as a lonely troubadour who rarely and only kinda fits in. Because Martin has travelled further and thought more deeply about several of the topics his stories conveyed, I found layers of busking potential opening while I read his work. Most pronounced to me, were the ideas of limitlessness through the indulgence of one's own unique quirks and ideas, the acceptance of life's difficulties and discomforts as necessary steps toward one's own limitlessness, as well as much more appreciation of my fellow artists. Practically speaking, I found the shows I've done since and while reading to be more free form, intuitive and responsive in general to the crowds and environment, and twice now (London and Vancouver), I've followed his queue to scope out pitches in advance of showing up with my gear. To other artists, I cannot recommend Panto Damascus enough. Bravo!