On stage, he plays the fool and the clown, deftly combining the circus and the theatre, charming and delighting audiences with his bag of tricks and surprises.
Off stage? Tomáš Kubínek says he is much the same, only in a milder, more laidback form.
“All of the elements exist in both worlds, just turned up more in the theater context,” he says, “more wild-man, irreverent, brassy, with superhuman strength and powers.”
When not performing, Kubínek says he’s more easy-going, although he does cut loose with his friends “for our mutual amusement.”
“Some of my funniest times are one-on-one with a friend who is confined to a wheelchair,” he adds. “I am full-tilt nuts with her and we both laugh really hard — it is my finest material and I’m fine with it never seeing the light of day, just staying private.”
Stettler audiences will have a chance to see the public side of Kubínek during his performances on Sunday, March 15, at the Performing Arts Centre, presented by the Stettler Variety Showcase.
His promotional material bills Kubínek, 49, as a “certified lunatic and master of the impossible.”
Asked to describe the show that will be seen here on Sunday, Kubínek promised “a one-man show of verbal wit, physical skills and theatrical hilarity — bits of magic, contortion, lunacy, all shared in an intimate spirit of spontaneity and good humour with the audience.”
“Mainly folks will have the time of their lives,” he continued, “and leave feeling happy, energized, inspired, and in love with life once again — and all dished up by a charming little feller who weighs under 140 pounds.”
Born in Prague, Kubínek and his family left Czechoslovakia to escape the Soviet invasion of 1968 when he was only three. They were granted asylum in Canada, and he was five when he saw a circus for the first time.
Fascinated, he quickly found his passion in the world of the circus and theatre. He made his first performance at the age of 9, had his own agent by age 13, and made his debut in the circus while still a teenager, performing as the rear end of a horse.
Kubínek says his parents, though “perplexed,” indulged his passion by taking him to every traveling show that came through town.
“I think my family has watched on with wonder and amusement at how I’ve made my path in the world,” he explained.
He says that it’s sometimes hard for them, as with others not in show business, to understand an existence outside of nine-to-five constraints and the work, travel and dedication that’s involved, but adds that they are “happy and proud” when they get to see him at work.
Later, he traveled to Europe and studied with some of the masters of the genre, leading to his own solo shows performed on stage in theatres, at festivals and on TV across the world.
Kubínek says that each year he performs to many diverse communities, as well as “intimate town(s) like Stettler every once in a while.”
“I like smaller towns lots because there’s a feeling of kindness and of people knowing each other and having grown and lived together,” he explains, adding that he tends to connect well with audiences wherever he goes.
Although he claims he’s usually in tip-top shape, he says he has injured himself during performances — “all kinds of injuries over the years” — but usually attempts to hide this from the audience, forcing himself to go on because cancelling the show would disappoint his guests.
“There is also a sort of magic adrenaline during a performance that lets it all happen and makes things not hurt,” he says. “Occasionally too, when I’ve been in rough shape, I feel healed and in a better state after performing.”
He says he finds it tremendously gratifying to “make a path in the world” through his talents and interests, sharing them with people and bringing them joy.
Kubínek will perform two shows for the showcase on Sunday, March 15, with the matinee at 2 p.m. and the evening show at 7:30 p.m.
Single-show tickets are available for $20 for adults and $10 for students, at Pfieffer House of Music in downtown Stettler, by calling 403-742-3777 or at the door.
The showcase will conclude its season with two performances by Jimmy Rankin on Sunday, April 26. Tickets for this show are priced at $30 for adults and $20 for students.
For more information on Kubínek’s show, visit www.kubinek.com.