If your first association of a clown is a hopelessly clumsy guy that entertains children during a circus interval then you might want to know that Michael Jackson copied the moonwalk from the French clown and mime actor Marcel Marceau (1923 - 2007). The New York Clown Theatre Festival promises to present a wide variety of clowns and clown performances. And not just for the young ones. The festival also announces a cabaret of clowns and will close on September 26 with a clown funeral.
Apart from traditional clowns in powder and heavily accentuated eyes and mouth, this year's festival will also put contemporary clowns in the spotlight. What to think of a clown opera and Coney Island Chris who will be performing his own absolutely twisted sideshow.
Since Marceau times have changed and nowadays there are many interpretations of the clown, for example, a pierrot, a circus act or comedian. One of the characteristics of the traditional clown is his mastery of both body and facial expression. Marceau was an expert of mimical expression and it took him years of training and experimentation to climb to international fame. He established his own clown company in 1947 and in 1978 the Marceau School of Clowns was founded in Paris. In this rare video you can see Marcel Marceau at work. His wordless story is compelling and even on screen one can feel the almost tangible intensity of his movements. Let's hope that the NY Clown Theatre Festival will be as surprising and touching as this legendary clown. For a complete overview of the programme http://www.bricktheater.com/clown/
Now send in the clowns!
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