Clown Scenes

by Tristan Rémy

The intimacy of the one-ring circus produced the classic clown routines that flourished until the mid-twentieth century and then disappeared with the rise of the grand circus. They have been lost until now. By seeking out the little band of surviving clowns who worked in the old tradition and setting down their scenes, Tristan R my, the eminent circus historian, has rescued a theatrical treasure. Thanks to R my's persistence, the forty-eight scenes...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566631440
• ISBN13: 9781566631440
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: Ivan R. Dee Publisher
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.7" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Classic Clown Routines

The Golden Age of Clowning was in Paris from the late 1890's through the 1920's. At that time, there were a dozen or more permanent circus buildings throughout Paris, and every week thousands of people flocked to the circus to see what new acts the clowns were going to perform. During this time, clowns actually spoke during their routines, and performed scenes with one another. Everybody knew the names of the clowns-- Charlie Rivel, Footit et Chocolat, Toto, Coco, and Marceline, to name a few. Tristan Remy, famous French circus historian, has taken 48 of the best clown routines and written them down in a fascinating document. And while they are primarily historical scenes, they are also blue-prints for proven comedy scenarios. I don't love the translation, but these are great tools for the working clown. Use them for good and not for evil.