Clowns International

Founded in 1947 Clowns International is the oldest club for clowns & friends of clowns. We pride ourselves on networking, education & collaboration.

[Laura Luz @LauraJoyLuz]

The Annual Grimaldi Clowns Service is on, 3pm at All Saints Haggerston this Sunday. Cakes, coffee and custard pies launching from 2pm (when doors open).

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

Fellow Clowns & friends of clowns
We hope that you will be able to join us for our 78th Annual Grimaldi Service on Sunday, 4th of Feb at 3pm (clowns arrive from 12pm) at All Saints Church, Haggerston, E8 4EZ the service will be streamed online here https://t.co/otBb3eiQF9

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

The origin of the word clown is uncertain. The first English record of "clowne" was in 1560, to mean "rustic". But though the etymology is unclear, the Commedia makes it clear those traits are inextricably tied to the history and role of the clown we know today!

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

Happy Monday! Today we're finally bridging the gap between the Commedia and the clown!

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

The Commedia Dell'arte enjoyed a long 200 year or so period of success because it was a highly accessible form of entertainment. Troupes could be made of elite professional actors or random comedic schmucks who wanted a nomadic life, traveling town to town for their performances.

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

Giant colorful ruffled and patterned clothing, colored hair, and white and red face paint were all Joseph's contributions to the Clown. His clown became so popular his work inspired others to adopt and adapt similar traits in their own performances, both on and off the stage!

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

With that history laid out, we can finally get to the very first clown as we know them today... tune in next week to see how we get there!

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

Happy Labor Day to those who celebrate! Let's enjoy our day off by picking up where we left off in our story about the history of the clown!

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

The rural and immigrant folks of the time were also often employed as servants to the ruling classes, and that's what Zanni characters are most often portrayed as. They are the main drivers of conflict and comedy in the commedia, through spoken jokes and physical comedy.

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

The Commedia Dell'arte enjoyed a long 200 year or so period of success because it was a highly accessible form of entertainment. Troupes could be made of elite professional actors or random comedic schmucks who wanted a nomadic life, traveling town to town for their performances.

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

Rise and shine, let's get to work! This is a portrait by Vern Orten of an unnamed (but very fashionable) working circus clown c.1954!

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

How do these boisterous characters from 500 years ago turn into modern day clowns? Tune in next week to find out as we continue our history journey!

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

Happy History Monday everyone! Today we're going to start a long story going way, way back, to the very origin of clowns themselves: The Commedia Dell'arte! To start, we're going to 16th century Italy.

[Clowns International @ClownsIntl]

The rural and immigrant folks of the time were also often employed as servants to the ruling classes, and that's what Zanni characters are most often portrayed as. They are the main drivers of conflict and comedy in the commedia, through spoken jokes and physical comedy.