The Clowns

Clowns are noted in historical records throughout the history of civilization. The art of clowning has taken on many forms throughout history. Some clowns actually affected political policy as they played the role of court jester to Rulers and Kings. Because they were seen as amusing buffoons, Jesters and Clowns were often allowed more freedom of speech than others and were in many cultures the only ones who were able to criticize an authoritarian despot. Jesters and Clowns would often speak out criticizing political policy and influencing the Rulers and Kings to reverse course. By using buffoonery and sarcasm, Jester or Clown would make decrees and laws appear stupid, planting the seeds of change in the mind of the Dictator or King.

The look of the Jester and Clown changed with the times, by the Sixteenth Century the White Face Clown is already noted in historical records. The look European White Face Clown evolved into an almost sophisticated appearance with well tailored "Jester" clothing. William Shakespeare was aware of the importance of the Clown, using the Clown character to speak the lines that would be political suicide if spoken by any other character, similar to the Comedians of today that can criticize politicians and political decisions without any uproar and repercussions

As freedom of political criticism became more available to everyone the clown continued to evolve in other ways. The Circus Clown became the Clown of laughter and fun, enhancing the Makeup, exaggerating the costumes and using over sized and silly props to keep their audience smiling. Clowns were used for warming up an impatient audience, to keep an audience involved while sets and equipment were rearranged and to attract people to an event.

The Modern Clown, is categorized into specific Clown Types, The White Face Clown, The Auguste Clown, The Hobo or Tramp Clown are three of the most common Clown Characters. The White Face Clown today begins with Clown White, then adds eye coloring, most a red nose and cheek coloring. The White Face Clown usually wears over-sized colorful clothing, and extra large shoes adding to the silliness of the character. White Face Clowns like Bozo The Clown wear a tailored costume which gives him his identity.

The Auguste Clown portrays the country bumpkin or every man, simple, inquisitive and always finding perplexity in situations. The Auguste Clown uses Pink Clown Face Makeup rather than White Clown Face Makeup to emulate the complexion of the everyday man. Auguste Clowns vary in their Makeup use, some use a full range of Clown Makeup Colors while others only accent the eyes.

The Hobo Clown or Tramp Clown is the clown that evokes sympathy. Seen as a down on his luck character, the Hobo Clown makes light of the situations acting naive and invoking an empathic feeling from the audience.

All types of Clowns and Clown Makeup can still be experienced at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®Circus. The Clowns of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Circus have favored Mehron Clown Makeup for decades, so much so, that when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®started their Clown College, Mehron Makeup was called upon to develop a special palette of Clown Makeup for their students.

In 1927, when Mehron Makeup was founded, the Circus came to town by Train or Wagon, today over eight decades later the Circus still comes to town, just not by horse drawn wagon, but they still use Mehron Clown Makeup just as they have for over eight decades.