Clown’s Road to Piggy Banks
Published in the April 2023 Penny Bank Post | Written by Lothar Graff
Nowadays everyone knows clowns, but they are not an invention of today’s circus shows or horror productions, rather they have a far-reaching origin.
Even in ancient times there were actors who displayed their jokes for the amusement of the audience. Their performances were clumsy, foolish, or absurd. In the Middle Ages, a jester was responsible for distraction and amusement.
Castle lords often kept small and disadvantaged people at court who not only provided fun and laughter but also ridicule. In the 14th century, the court jesters were the jokers in charge; they served the lord of the court and his guests, for pleasure and entertainment. From the 16th century onwards in England, funny and comical entertainers provided amusement during breaks in the theater. In Italy, the Arleccino played an important role. This naïve person did everything wrong but was still fun-loving, agile and popular.
The way for the funny fool to become a circus clown was not far. The artists, jugglers, acrobats, trainers, and jokers who performed in market places and on the streets now found a permanent home and employment in circus companies. The Englishman, Philip Astley (1742-1814) is regarded as the . . .
