Brief History of Clowns

Many books have been written about the history of clowns. I certainly find the subject interesting because, well, I am one and I love it. The word "clown" itself is most likely from the word for clumsy that surfaced around 1560AD in Iceland (klunni), Sweden (kluns) and North Frisia / Germany (klonne). Showing up in the English language as "clown" in the early 1900s.

Ancient clowns seems to track back to roughly 2400BC in Egypt was a man called "Danga". Hailing from a tribe of pygmies, Danga entertained the royal family.

After Egypt clown can be traced to ancient Greece and Italy. Later Cortez found clowns amongst the Aztecs in the 1520s. The Italian Renaissance brought several clowns in roving theatre groups called Commedia del Arté, among the were Pierrot and Harlequin. The former being the predecessor to pantomime and the latter the predecessor of slapstick.

American Indian found that clowns aided in curing certain maladies such as lowering blood pressure, muscular relaxation along with releasing stress reducing chemicals and virus-fighters.

By the late-middle ages, clowns were part of the royal court staff as Court Jesters and given the freedom to answer back to anyone in authority without fear of punishment. Imagine that! Maybe our President wants to spend the day with me so I can say a thing or two about job creation.

The make-up you now know as clowns today was created by English actor Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) by using whiteface makeup over his face, neck and chest. It was later popularized in the US by George L. Fox who used Grimaldi for inspiration.

Later in the mid-late 1800s, the "Auguste" clown saw a birth in Germany with oversized clothes and looking foolish and confused. While around the same time, the tramp or hobo clown developed in the US after the American Civil War. The latter was inspired by the homeless and migratory workers of that time who roamed America on the trains.

History does not record women in clowning until 1858 then only a handful are mentioned. The first female clown was Amelia Butler who toured with the Nixon’s Great American Circus. Amelia was the last women clown in the American circus for almost twenty years. But it wasn't until the 70s that clowns showed their feminine side with bloomers and petticoats.

Although clowns are notoriously noted for being funny and their silly antics, clowns have skills in order to be employable.

Clowning is a serious business, even if it's all about the fun. The ability to turn the room into a bundle of positive energy is no easy task. At Annabel's Entertainment we love what we do and we what we love - create fun and make sure a good time is had by all.

Hugs and Kisses,
Annabel TheClown

Coulrophobia and Annabel "the clown"

Coulrophobia is defined as "an extreme fear of clowns," in Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English. As a party entertainer who dresses as a clown more often than not, I have to say that upsetting anyone at a party or event would be the last thing this entertainer wants to do.

Some experts believe it's the lack of being able to associate a real facial expression with the clown, some believe there is a trauma associated with the fear, and some believe it has to do with TV and movies that have portrayed clowns as evil (Stephen King's "It" comes to mind).

A fear of clowns is common and our hearts and empathy should go out to the children, adults and their families who have to pick up the pieces after an unexpected meeting with a clown. There's nothing funny about the fear and the emotions.

If you want to book a party for your child, your school event, your family reunion or any other event, keep in mind that one of your guests may be uncomfortable.

At Annabel's Entertainment we're not just clowns. We're magicians, entertainers, artisans and all around party people. Annabel and her trusty side-kicks Party Pete and Cutie Pie are available to entertain your party with or without costume. We can paint faces, do tricks, help your guests create art, play games, serve yummy snow cones, popcorn, and/or cotton candy, make balloon art, etc.

We are very mindful of our clients' needs and want you to feel secure in knowing that we're with you because we love what we do, we're not just going along with your needs because there's a recession and we want the money.

You don't have to bypass fun in order to get the party your guests will brag about all year long. Call the people who really love what they do and love to see you and your guests having a great time ;-)