CLOWNING HISTORY

CLOWNING HISTORY

1. Jesters and fools appear everywhere throughout medieval history, folk law and legend. They are one of the most common and widely recognised archetypal character types found in culture and mythology throughout world history. Jesters and fools performed a variety of functions as entertainers, social and political critiques.

2. Clowns played a big part of history. Examples are the Greek clowns - bald headed and padded to appear larger than normal,. They mimed and parodied people of higher authority and at times threw nuts at the spectators. A similar clown was found in Ancient Rome. This clown wore a pointed hat and a patchwork colourful robe and was the target of all the tricks and abuse of his fellow actors.

3. Joseph Grimaldi - father of clowning. He is from London and at age three he was already performing on stage. He produced and stared in live action road runner cartoon type routines with chase scenes and comic slapstick violence with extreme results.

4. Vaudville became extremely popular in the 1910s because it provided a show that combined acting, dance, music, acrobats and humour all in the same evening! This was when Charlie Chaplin was born.

5. All clowns have something in common - a comic perspective and the ability to dispense humour and wit directly into the life of a royal court, or theatre or film or simply for friends and family or tribe. These masters of comedy contribute to the world by making it a more manageable brighter and joyful place. Clowns have always reminded us that we are human and vulnerable and they transform the frightening into the funny, anesthetizing pain and keeping our minds and hearts open.