Clowning

Around(a serious history)

Did you know…

Clowns are also known as:

JestersTrickstersFoolsbuffoons

Ancient Times

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

TricksterIn the Native American oral tradition,

the sacred Trickster assumes many forms:

CoyoteRaven "The Tricky One" Manabozho

TricksterAmusing

SlyBasic Instincts

Creative Force&

Spiritual Force

More Tricksters

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

Medieval Times

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.

Elizabethan TimesWilliam Kemp and Richard Armin were clowns in Shakespeare's troupe

Auguste

Court Jester

Auguste

SlapstickBroad comedyZany, crazyWild pranks

An actor's view on the Fool:

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.

timing, physical

comedy mask improvisation broad

characteriza-tions

The Master & Servant are classic examples.

Zanni

VillainCapitano

Amorosi -The Lovers

Many Styles and Skills

Cirque du Soleil

What ideas do you have for a character?