Synopses & Reviews
This rich collection of readings offers a wide-ranging and authoritative survey of clown practices, history and theory, from the origins of the word clown through to contemporary clowning. Covering clowns in theatre, circus, cinema, TV, street and elsewhere, the author's stimulating narrative challenges assumptions and turns orthodoxy on its head.
Synopsis
This rich collection of readings offers a wide-ranging and authoritative survey of clown practices, history and theory, from the origins of the word clown through to contemporary clowning. Covering clowns in theatre, circus, cinema, TV, street and elsewhere, the author's stimulating narrative challenges assumptions and turns orthodoxy on its head.
About the Author
JON DAVISON is a visiting lecturer at Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where he was formerly Creative Fellow investigating Clown/Actor Training. He has been a clown, teacher, director, actor and writer for the last 30 years. He is a co-founder of the Escola de Clown de Barcelona in Spain, where he developed the first ever Clown History and Theory unit. He is also a member of the World Parliament of Clowns.
Table of Contents
PART I: WHAT DO CLOWNS DO?
Grock's Entrée
Clown History
Clown and Pierrot
Birth of the Auguste
Clown Drama
Death and Rebirth of the Clown
Clown Women
PART I: HOW DO CLOWNS CLOWN?
Clown Theory, Technique and Technology
Clown Authors
Clown Training
Clown Politics
Clown TV
Clown Plots
Clown Truth
Conclusion: Clown Today
Bibliography
Index