O'Glu and Robinetto: the clowns of the show “Je suis différent”
Every clown is unique, every laugh has its own colour… O'Glu and Robinetto turn that diversity into a real symphony of joy!
But their magic goes beyond the bursts of laughter: they raise awareness of essential values such as respect, tolerance and kindness, while sparking everyone's curiosity and creativity.
Every performance becomes an unforgettable moment, where young and old leave not only with smiles and laughter, but also with messages that make them think and grow.
O'Glu – Dimitri Madenoglu
I was born in Istanbul in 1962; I am of Greek origin and Belgian nationality.
I discovered clowning while studying art therapy with Philippe Rousseau (Épinal) in 2004, then continued my training with Le Bataclown.
I explored street clowning in Toulouse.
I developed a whole-person approach to welcoming one's clown.
It combines work on the body, physical expression, the mind, the voice and music.
Clown training:
- Clown courses with Le Bataclown – France;
- Clown course with Christelle Rousseau (Épinal);
- Stage make-up classes;
- “Danse sensible” courses in Strasbourg with Claude Coldy;
- Theatre and physical expression courses – France;
- Voice work with Dominique Skoor in Yutz.
I get by in French, Dutch, English, Greek, Turkish and Luxembourgish, with some German and Italian.
From 2004 to today:
- Weekly clown classes for stage actors in France;
- Clown facilitation in Rennes-les-Bains;
- Weekly clown classes for children with motor disabilities and behavioural difficulties at the École de la Milliaire;
- Volunteer participation in the Clown Festival of Milan in 2011;
- Occasional help alongside Docteur Sourire in Algrange;
- Founding of the association Les Clownoglu in Yutz (France);
- The show “mirlificocatastrophique” in Kœnigsmacker and Esch-sur-Alzette;
- Training and supervising the clown for shows;
- Weekly clown classes for the Association des Paralysés de France;
- Clown course at the Collège de la Milliaire with teenagers facing social difficulties;
- Street-clown facilitation at the JazzPot festival in Thionville;
- Clown intervention for the CLAE Luxembourg association.
Still alive.
Robinetto – Renato Fontana
Renato Fontana is an actor, director and clown based in Luxembourg. He received his initial theatre training with the director Mohamed Mouaffik, artistic director of the Compagnie Théâtre à Dire in Thionville, where he developed rigour, improvisation and freedom of expression.
With Teresa Napoli, an Italian director, Renato deepened his work on emotion and poetry and took part in several productions, including a staged reading of Arthur Rimbaud's Le Bateau ivre at the Neumünster Abbey in Luxembourg.
He then approached classical theatre with Henry Moati and completed his training at the Cours Florent, with David Garel for improvisation and the director Frédéric Provost for camera work. His artistic career is also presented on Sequenda Opera Studio Luxembourg.
In 2004, meeting Dimitri Madenoglu opened up a new artistic path: he took up clowning and took part in various clown courses and experiences in France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
He then joined the company Ter de l'Art, with which he performed in Palace by Jean-Michel Ribes, in a collective staging, as well as in La Farce de Maître Pathelin, directed by Rémi Barbier of the Théâtre Nihilo Nihil.
In 2015, Renato Fontana directed the musical Locksley, la légende de Robin des Bois, which drew more than 20,000 spectators in France and England. Watch an excerpt from Locksley, la légende de Robin des Bois on YouTube.
In 2016, he co-created and performed in the clown show Le Ballet des bulles with the Clownoglu company, continuing his work around clowning, stage performance and the creation of shows.
From 2016 to 2020, Renato ran clown and theatre workshops for adults in France. Each season ended with a show giving participants the chance to present their work on stage.
His practice today brings together theatre, clowning, improvisation and directing. He also works with companies through innovative seminars and workshops combining theatre and clowning, notably with Talentivo – corporate training through theatre and improvisation, and offers private coaching on communication and public speaking.
Book your event with O'Glu and Robinetto today and give your audience moments of joy, fantasy and learning about tolerance.
Clown workshops and courses
Dimitri Madenoglu has been a clown teacher since 2004 — for stage actors, for people with disabilities, within Les Clownoglu and Clown Factory. He has run courses, notably at Le Gueulard in Nilvange and has led a clown workshop at the Società Dante Alighieri in Luxembourg. Renato Fontana also runs workshops around theatre, clowning and improvisation.
Press and references
The articles and sites about O'Glu, Robinetto and the show are gathered on the about page.