ATHABASCA — Close to 50 Athabasca locals got a peek Under the Makeup of widely-celebrated and well-loved entertainer Joey Maddison as he stepped on stage at the Nancy Appleby Theatre March 1 to share his stories, struggles, and successes.
Maddison — known as Patches the Clown in some circles and Olaf the Snowman or Marshall from Paw Patrol in others — has been making a name for himself in the world of character entertainment for the last 26 years.
“People say I’m going to do it ‘til the day I die because I love it,” said Maddison in an interview. “I’m passionate about it. I very much enjoy it. It’s who I am.”
Maddison acts as entertainment for birthday parties and community events, dons a wide range of mascot costumes, and is well-known for volunteering with the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton.
Although he has brushed shoulders with names like Curtis Joseph, former Edmonton Oiler, and even scored face time with legendary comedian Patch Adams, Maddison is ready to take the next step in his career — and it started with his one-man show.
Entitled, Under the Makeup It’s Me, Maddison’s show was crafted to let his fans get beneath the characters and performance. “It’s kind of letting them in more,” said Maddison. “I have my emotions, I have my good days, I have my bad.”
Maddison told audience members candid stories from his experiences. He shared his pre-gig ritual, which involves sending love to his late mom, honest recountings of how his siblings and father view his career, and the tale of the day that he found his calling.
After striking out on his own at 19, an accident during lifeguard training left Maddison in the hospital with a case of whiplash and strapped down to a spine board. A young girl with a blanket making her own rounds made a connection with Maddison, laughing at his attempts at antics.
“At this point, I’m new on my own, I’m the youngest of three. (At) family reunions, I’m the pied piper with kids. But I really hadn’t discovered who I was,” said Maddison. Return trips to the hospital saw the pair grow closer, and Maddison recalled her drawing red noses on him and finding purpose in creating smiles and laughter.
He obtained a certificate from a clown workshop to up his skill level but returned to the hospital to find his friend had passed away.
“I didn’t know that she was sick,” said Maddison. He spoke at her funeral and was given an envelope by her family. “There’s a patch from her blanket that she always carried around with her, and it’s shaped in a heart.
“I sowed the patch on the inside of my costume, right above my heart. And every time I put that on, it reminds me, (that) this is why I do what I do,” said Maddison.
Following his one-man show, Maddison said he’s gearing up for Koch Ford’s annual Community Easter Egg Hunt, as well as a summer of gigs across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. He’s also looking for ways to implement his newly acquired education around life coaching and ‘laughter yoga’ — combining the effects of stretching and laughing — into his repertoire.
For Maddison, there is no other way he would rather walk through life. “It’s bringing joy, and when I hear the laughter, that just fuels my soul,” he said. “It’s something I was born to do.”
