'Pieing' or 'Flanning' as it is sometimes known, can be traced back to the early days of British Music Hall entertainment. The science involved in throwing a custard pie should not be underestimated!
Firstly, the pie has to travel and not fall short of its target. Secondly, it must make contact squarely in the face. And finally, for the full comedic effect, it should drip slowly off the recipient's face.
Having made all the correct culinary calculations with regards to the consistency of the pie, it is then necessary to perfect the timing of the throw together with the situation necessary to facilitate an effective custard pie sequence.
Here are a few of the basic set-ups:
Pie In the Face (PIF) - the pie in this instance is thrown or pushed directly into the recipient's face.
Pas De Deux - in this case, two throwers pie each other at exactly the same time.
The Three Hander - thrower one pies thrower two, thrower two then pies thrower one who ducks in time to miss the pie which lands squarely in the face of a third party.
Self Pieing - where the thrower is pied by the pie he is holding in his own hand.
There are of course numerous variations on these basic themes, this video demonstrates a few of the possibilities http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-clown-about-with-custard-pies
However, as with all stage craft, one can only learn by watching the true masters of the art. So where, might you ask, can you see the professionals in action?
You need to look no further than the Charlie Chaplin movie 'Behind The Screen'. All of the above techniques are displayed to perfection in this magnificent example of a classic pie throwing battle, in fact the first of it's kind in a movie. And as it happens, I am showing the very same movie in my new show at Brighton's Emporium and at the Leicester Square Theatre in September 2013!
So if you would like to see just how the professionals get pied, book your tickets now for this great event. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. Tickets for Leicester Square are now on sale and the Emporium will follow shortly.
Emporium - 8th and 15th September 3.00pm
LST - 18th, 19th, 20th September 7.00pm
See you there!
DW
