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Dressed in flamboyant, oversized costumes, with a red nose, a colorful wig, and special make-up, this delightful character often brings laughter wherever he goes. Both grown-ups and children find him funny and entertaining. Who is this beloved character? You are right! It is none other than the clown! Clowns are known to light up our days and drive away our melancholy by their exaggerated facial expressions, body movements, and other comical acts. Clowns have been entertaining audiences for over 4,000 years. Historically, their role has been different from the two other comedian roles, that of the court jesters and fools. Jesters were commonly found in the medieval and renaissance periods when they were usually special entertainers for the nobility and monarchy, who they delighted with their songs, music, and storytelling skills. They would also sometimes tell jokes and perform acrobatics, juggling, and magic tricks. Nowadays performers sometimes dress up and perform as jesters for historical dramas or re-enactments. Perhaps the most famous fools are found in William Shakespeare’s plays, such as “Othello,” “Twelfth Night,” and “The Winter’s Tale,” etc. The quick-thinking and flexibility of a fool are perhaps best illustrated in the comedy “Twelfth Night,” where Feste, a fool character, said: “Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” This saying highlights the intelligence of the fools and their ability to quickly comprehend a situation. As for clowns, their unique and comical combination of outlandishly colorful dress with exaggerated gestures in their performance, often involving mime, continues to this day. In our program today, we will share with you the history of the clown and celebrate the laughter and wisdom that they have brought to the people throughout the ages.
