Clown Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
A clown today is one of various types of comedic performers, on stage, television, in the circus and rodeo. Though not every clown is readily identifiable by appearance alone, clowns frequently appear in makeup, and costume as well as typically large footwear, oversized or otherwise outlandish clothing, bright colors and patterns or patchwork, a funny or unusual hat or wig or wildly unusual hairstyle and/or color, often with bulbous or otherwise unusual nose, and enacting humorous sketches, usually in the interludes between major presentations. The clown's humor today is often visual and includes many elements of physical comedy or slapstick humor but not exclusively. for instance, Wavy Gravy's comedy is often cerebral, spiritual, or even political in nature.
parade]]The word clown comes from words meaning "clot" or "clod" which came also to mean "clumsy fellow", according to the Oxford English Dictionary.
Clown is both a noun and a verb, and can also be an adjective (clown bike, clown shoes, clown white, clown gag and so on). Clown is also used to refer to anyone who provides entertainment in a clownish manner. Within the 'clown world', and among professional clowns, "clown" often refers to the character portrayed, rather than the performer. This usage is somewhat rare outside of the professional clown and/or theatrical community.
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2 Code of non-infringement 3 Types 4 Clown Gags 5 Clown Skills 6 Some famous clowns 7 Some other clowns 8 Fictional Clowns 9 Evil Clowns 10 See also 11 External links |
History
Clowning is an ancient art form, which appears in some manner in virtually every culture. An early form of clowns was the court jester, a role that can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Though most jesters suffered from some physical deformity and were often the butt of jokes, they were often the only courtiers who enjoyed free speech, and could usually freely speak their minds to the monarch.
Code of non-infringement
Each individual clown has the informal right to a costume, makeup and other unique performance attributes that must not be infringed by other clowns. Despite no enforcement through intellectual property laws, this right is always respected by the professional clown, and its protection is even extended to individual clown routines and acts. This practice is of such a great importance to clowns, that it is often referred to by clowns as simply 'The Code'
In Britain, as recognition of The Code, each clown has their own clown face painted onto an eggshell and no two eggs can be alike.
A clown duo might employ a number of cooperative 'bits' to help them create an improvisational performance, some of which are known as
"I see you bought yourself a new hat"
--"Yeah, a New Hat (big happy smile of contentment with his battered stovepipe hat)
"Get it uptown?"
--"Yup, Got it Up Town, oh Yeah, you're not gonna get a Fine New Hat like this one DOWN town (taking the hat off again for another satisfied look at the hat, and rocking up on to the balls of his feet and back on his heels, proudly)
"You can say that again"
--"OK: Got it Up Town, yeah, not gonna get one of these uptown" (another proud look at the hat, picking an imagined piece of lint from the torn brim of the Fine New Hat), yep, nothing like a Down Town Hat"
"Uhuh... they pay you much?"
(the first clown narrates the gag, the second repeats main elements of this exposition)
"I found a dog"
--"that's good"(noncommittally)
"It wasn't a hot dog though" (showing the dog)
--"that's too bad" (looking at the dog,wistfully)
"He's really friendly"
--"Oh, that's good" (agreeably)
"with people's legs
--"THAT's bad" (appalled)
"He doesn't eat much
--"that's good" (nodding agreeably)
"He sure poops a lot though"
--"that's bad"('that stinks' expression)
"he's housebroken"
--"THAT's good"(of course it is)
"No that's bad, he did some jail time for the last
housebreak"
--"Oh, then that's bad"(willing to be corrected)
"No that's good - it was his second offense. He's gone straight now"
--"that's...uh good?"(confused now)
"No that's bad, he's gone straight for your pastrami sandwich!"
(the first clown narrates the gag, the second responds with "that's good /that's bad", or "that's fortunate/unfortunate", even seen as "dude that rocks!/man, that bites". Each clown has his own gags or bits, these techniques are used to share gags with other clowns that are unfamiliar with the material, by using "Yes, and..." techniques such as Pete/re-Pete, and good/bad, the clowns avoid conflicting gags, supporting each other in whatever they say, and keeping the performance flowing.
In the circus, a clown might be convinced to perform another circus role:
This is an Article on Clown. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Clown Types
There are several different types of clowns, including:
The Auguste is the zaniest and most foolish of the clown's group, yet attempts to look dignified, and thinks of himself as smart and superior and wise, which only lends to the comedic effect when he receives his inevitable come-uppance. The cleverer clown (the sidekick) always gets the better of the auguste. The auguste gets the pie in the face, is squirted with water, is knocked down on his backside, sits in the wet paint, etc.Clown Gags
Among the more well-known clown "gags" are: squirting flower; the too-many-clowns-coming-out-of-a-tiny-car stunt; doing just about anything with a rubber chicken or tripping over his own feet (or an air pocket or imaginary blemish in the floor) or riding a unicycle or any number of ridiculous vehicles or "clown bikes".Pete and re-Pete
Thats good/that's bad"
Clown Skills
It has been said "clowns can do anything", this is mostly because clowns have such wildly varying performances. 'Everyone knows' that a clown can do magic, juggle, balance things on his nose, do backflips, ride a unicycle, etc, but clowns might be called on to do just about anything.Some famous clowns
Some other clowns
Fictional Clowns
Evil Clowns
Clowns have frequently been portrayed in movies, television, and novels. While clowns are generally believed to delight children, many kids - as well as some adults - are frightened by their strange appearance and unpredictable behavior. See evil clown.See also
External links