PEFORMING as a clown is much more complex than balloon animals and funny faces. It's an art form that has developed and evolved over centuries and the various clowning styles can be found in any culture at any point in history.

As part of circuses, carnivals, rodeos or one-person shows, clowns have been an ever-present part of society – either by making fun of taboo topics or entertaining children and adults alike.

The modern incarnation of the traditional circus, the venerable Cirque de Soleil is a synthesis of various circus acts that feature clowns, acrobats and performers with its own central theme and storyline.

Two veteran Las Vegas Cirque performers broke away to create AGA-BOOM, a unique event that combines slapstick humour, physical comedy and theatrical expressionism all performed by a troupe of clowns. The show follows the adventures of three clowns, Aga, Boom and Dash.

Created by Ukrainian Dimitri Bogatirev, the group brings its critically-acclaimed show to Bermuda for the Bermuda Festival tonight, tomorrow and on Sunday at the City Hall Theare in Hamilton.

A spin on the Russian word for paper (boomaga), AGA-BOOM features Mr. Bogatirev and his wife Iryna who have previously worked together on Cirque shows Allegria and O.

According to critics, their creations for O have taken clowning in an entirely new and exciting direction. The husband and wife team has also created a children's television show together.

"We were good clowns before Cirque De Soleil and still are good clowns now," explained Mr. Bogatirev with a distinct Russian accent.

"I was working in the Cirque for seven years. It is a great circus but I felt lonely there. I love my audience and I want to be with them. Face to face."

Apropos their show's name, streaming paper is a main component and, according to Mr. Bogatirev, the performers aim to please.

"AGA-BOOM is a collection of sketches and reprises my life," he said.

"Life is so stressful and short. Let go, be friendly, and allow us clowns to be silly and funny!"

The troupe, which is rounded out with Valery Slemzin, an expert in juggling, magic, acobatics and comedy, has had successful appearances on New York's Broadway as well as in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston, and Los Angeles. AGA-BOOM has also performed in front of 500,000 people in Japan, Mexico, Korea, Singapore, Chile, Canada, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

While some might find clowning a children's game, the show promises to entertain the adults as well.

"Adults like it when their children are happy," said Mr. Bogatirev.

"They also like audience participation, when everybody becomes equal – kids, clowns and adults."

According to the clown expert, children get to fulfil some of their wildest and messiest dreams by becoming part of the show.

"Children like the clowns best, of course, and the mess in the finale of the show," he said. "They can make anything they like during the show – everything they cannot to do at home!"

He added: "People don't want to go home. Kids take our paper and continue playing with it at home. Agaboomomania!"

Tickets for AGA-BOOM's February 13, 14 and 15 shows at City Hall Theatre in Hamilton are still available and can be purchased online at www.bermudafestival.org or via phone at 232-2255.