The Pain Gives Birth to the Laughter: A Clowning Epic
Loading...
Authors
McIntosh, Denise G.
Issue Date
1980
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Theater -- Miscellaneous
Alternative Title
Abstract
From the golden days of the circus to the present, Clown has
been relegated to the position of mime with heavy and distinctive
make-up, the dirty slapstick job of the ring. Clown, as we know him
today is only a hallow shell of what he once was by force of many
alterations through many generations of rich wit. Clown, if I may
speak of him as a medium for a moment, has succumbed to technological
exploitation and has been splintered into diverse vocations without
so much as a nod of thanks for what has been stolen, not in the
fascinating tradition of the great Grimaldi, but a rape of the best
and the brightest elements. One may argue that Clown exists in
variegated forms, that he has not spread himself so thin as to lose
the essence of his soul, but has rather given it in different ways
to his various offspring, such as stand-up comedians, mime performers
or_ various and sundry Bozos and Boopsies. Society is the poorer
for his lack as is the profession of clowning itself.
Description
ii, 32 p.
Citation
Publisher
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.