CLOWN ACT OMNIBUS
The origin o£ the English word “down” is uncertain, but it is thought to have come from a Scandinavian or Teutonic word for “clod,” hence a coarse or boorish fellow, a lout. Clowning goes far back into history. Traces of it appear in Greek burlesque and on the Roman stage.
In the Middle Ages, kings and nobles had their Fools —Court Jesters who were privileged characters as long as they could amuse their masters. These were often gifted musicians, mimics, skilled dancers, and acrobats, full of wit and impertinence. The pointed cap and tas-seled scepter became symbols of these jesters.
On the old English stage a clown was a privileged laugh provoker. He had no real part in the drama, but
carried on his jokes and tricks, sometimes addressing himself to the delighted audience instead of confining himself to the stage action.
Shakespeare elevated the clown, giving him a speaking part, often using him as a “comic relief” to ease the tension in his tragedies. The grave diggers in Hamlet are clowns. Othello had his clown. Launcelot Gobbo was Shylock's famous clown.
In France, the Pierrot in his two-colored costume was a gay, lighthearted clown, often an accomplished dancer. Harlequin, too, was of French origin, distinguished by his black mask, shaved head, and expert acrobatics.
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In the Middle Ages, kings and nobles had their Fools —Court Jesters who were privileged characters as long as they could amuse their masters. These were often gifted musicians, mimics, skilled dancers, and acrobats, full of wit and impertinence. The pointed cap and tas-seled scepter became symbols of these jesters.
On the old English stage a clown was a privileged laugh provoker. He had no real part in the drama, but
carried on his jokes and tricks, sometimes addressing himself to the delighted audience instead of confining himself to the stage action.
Shakespeare elevated the clown, giving him a speaking part, often using him as a “comic relief” to ease the tension in his tragedies. The grave diggers in Hamlet are clowns. Othello had his clown. Launcelot Gobbo was Shylock's famous clown.
In France, the Pierrot in his two-colored costume was a gay, lighthearted clown, often an accomplished dancer. Harlequin, too, was of French origin, distinguished by his black mask, shaved head, and expert acrobatics.
CLOWN ACT OMNIBUS
The origin o£ the English word “down” is uncertain, but it is thought to have come from a Scandinavian or Teutonic word for “clod,” hence a coarse or boorish fellow, a lout. Clowning goes far back into history. Traces of it appear in Greek burlesque and on the Roman stage.
In the Middle Ages, kings and nobles had their Fools —Court Jesters who were privileged characters as long as they could amuse their masters. These were often gifted musicians, mimics, skilled dancers, and acrobats, full of wit and impertinence. The pointed cap and tas-seled scepter became symbols of these jesters.
On the old English stage a clown was a privileged laugh provoker. He had no real part in the drama, but
carried on his jokes and tricks, sometimes addressing himself to the delighted audience instead of confining himself to the stage action.
Shakespeare elevated the clown, giving him a speaking part, often using him as a “comic relief” to ease the tension in his tragedies. The grave diggers in Hamlet are clowns. Othello had his clown. Launcelot Gobbo was Shylock's famous clown.
In France, the Pierrot in his two-colored costume was a gay, lighthearted clown, often an accomplished dancer. Harlequin, too, was of French origin, distinguished by his black mask, shaved head, and expert acrobatics.
In the Middle Ages, kings and nobles had their Fools —Court Jesters who were privileged characters as long as they could amuse their masters. These were often gifted musicians, mimics, skilled dancers, and acrobats, full of wit and impertinence. The pointed cap and tas-seled scepter became symbols of these jesters.
On the old English stage a clown was a privileged laugh provoker. He had no real part in the drama, but
carried on his jokes and tricks, sometimes addressing himself to the delighted audience instead of confining himself to the stage action.
Shakespeare elevated the clown, giving him a speaking part, often using him as a “comic relief” to ease the tension in his tragedies. The grave diggers in Hamlet are clowns. Othello had his clown. Launcelot Gobbo was Shylock's famous clown.
In France, the Pierrot in his two-colored costume was a gay, lighthearted clown, often an accomplished dancer. Harlequin, too, was of French origin, distinguished by his black mask, shaved head, and expert acrobatics.
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CLOWN ACT OMNIBUS
CLOWN ACT OMNIBUS
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Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940016011950 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Jay Goldston |
| Publication date: | 01/17/2013 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 2 MB |
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