Clowning Around (a serious history)

Did you know… Clowns are also known as: Jesters Tricksters Fools buffoons

Clowns are also known as:

Jesters

Tricksters

Fools

buffoons

Ancient Times The comic spirit of clowning appears to exist in every culture.

The comic spirit of clowning appears to exist in every culture.

Ancient Times The Fool was greatly treasured as one able to: Entertain tell the truth

The Fool was greatly treasured as one able to:

Entertain

tell the truth

Trickster In the Native American oral tradition, the sacred Trickster assumes many forms: Coyote Raven "The Tricky One" Manabozho

In the Native American oral tradition, the sacred Trickster assumes many forms:

Coyote

Raven

"The Tricky One"

Manabozho

Trickster Amusing Sly Basic Instincts Creative Force & Spiritual Force

Amusing

Sly

Basic Instincts

Creative Force

&

Spiritual Force

More Tricksters Tortoise Anansi the spider Monkey Loki Nanabush B’rer Rabbit Fox Kokopelli

Tortoise

Anansi the spider

Monkey

Loki

Nanabush

B’rer Rabbit

Fox

Kokopelli

Wesakechak From the Cree stories we learn of Wesakechak and his many adventures. Painting by Norval Morrisseau

From the Cree stories we learn of Wesakechak and his many adventures.

Medieval Times Court Jesters were given great freedom of speech; often the only one allowed to speak out against the ruler's ideas.

Court Jesters were given great freedom of speech; often the only one allowed to speak out against the ruler's ideas.

China Yu Sze, a Chinese royal jester, is still considered a national hero today for his quick thinking.

Elizabethan Times theatrical art form part of Shakespeare's plays Image from Stratford’s “King Lear” production.

theatrical art form

part of Shakespeare's plays

Elizabethan Times William Kemp and Richard Armin were clowns in Shakespeare's troupe Auguste Court Jester

William Kemp and Richard Armin were clowns in Shakespeare's troupe

Auguste

Court Jester

Auguste Slapstick Broad comedy Zany, crazy Wild pranks

An actor's view on the Fool: How does an actor get into role? How can a serious actor understand the clown?

How does an actor get into role?

How can a serious actor understand the clown?

Commedia del Arte Street theatre - comedy developed in the 16th century in Italy.

Street theatre - comedy

developed in the 16th century in Italy.

timing, physical comedy mask improvisation broad characteriza-tions

timing,

physical comedy

mask

improvisation

broad characteriza-tions

The Master & Servant are classic examples.

Zanni

Villain Capitano

Villain

Capitano

Amorosi - The Lovers

Amorosi -

The Lovers

Many Styles and Skills

Cirque du Soleil

What ideas do you have for a character?

What ideas do you have for a character?