Great Advice from Circus Clowns

[Chance Marmalade]

I was in the used bookstore the other day and came across a great circus book with a large section on clowns. A few entries in the section really caught my attention and I had to take notes. These notes may prove useful for any clown!

According to the chapter:

There are 7 primary Blow Offs in Clowning

Fire, Water, Smoke, Explosions, Slaps, Falls and Surprises.

Clowns generally do 6 things

Take Falls, Strike Blows (against something or someone), Dispense Foolishness, Mimic, Engage in Trickery and Chicanery and top it all off with a surprise ending.

[Fitzwilly]

Now that sounds like the beginnings of a good long thread Jeremy. Thanks

By the way, what was the title of the book? and the author?

[Happy Chappy & Daisy]

Jeremy,
How exactly did that book define "chicanery," as opposed to trickery and foolishness?

[Chance Marmalade]

I thought someone might want to know the name of the book lol! I did not write that down sadly. But I will head there tomorrow and get the info and maybe even the book itself. They don't sell through their circus books very fast so I imagine it is still there.

The book didn't define chicanery as opposed to trickery or foolishness. It was one of the circus clowns that talked about it in a little margin of the clown section.

I will find out who the clown was and the author and title on the morrow!

[Chance Marmalade]

Sorry it's taken me a while to get back on here! I have been insanely busy arranging a short notice gig. I was invited to open a friends show with anything I could think of, and I have a 15 minute time slot. I've been working on a silent film type of stage show which takes place in a snobby restaurant. I finally finished it. I still have two people to cast though...

So, I went back to the bookstore the other night and got the missing information for all you clowns. Here it is!

Book: The American Circus, An Illustrated History by John Culhane

6 Things was said by: Ron Severin. Dean of Ringling Bros Clown College

Blow Offs was said by: Frosty Little. A Ringling Boss Clown.

The book is actually very interesting but I didn't have an extra $10 for it. It is definitely worth a look though!

[Grandpa Weatherbie]

Yep! I try to get those first six things outta the way while shaving every morning, then I go back to bed.
If you have the name and author of the book that would be cooool!