A clown is the buffoon or practical jester in pantomime and circus performances. On the old English stage the clown was the privileged laughter-provoker, who, without taking any part in the dramatic development of the piece represented, carried on his improvised jokes and tricks with the actors, often indeed addressing himself directly to tho audience instead of confining himself to what was going on on the stage. In Shakespeare's dramas, a distinct part is assigned to the clown, who no longer appears as an extempore jester, although the part he plays is to a certain extent in keeping with his traditional functions. He is now confined to the pantomime and the circus, in the former of which he plays a part allied to that of the French Pierrot. Research Clown
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General Information
Research Clown
