Clown

A clown today is one of various types of comedic performers, on stage, television, in the circus and rodeo. Though not every clown is readily identifiable by appearance alone, clowns frequently appear in makeup and costume, as well as typically large footwear, oversized or otherwise outlandish clothing, bright colors and patterns or patchwork, a funny or unusual hat or wig or wildly unusual hairstyle and/or color, often with a bulbous or otherwise unusual nose, and enacting humorous sketches, usually in the interludes between major presentations. The clown's humor today is often visual and includes many elements of physical comedy or slapstick humor but not exclusively. For instance, Wavy Gravy's comedy is often cerebral, spiritual, or even political in nature.

Clown skills

It has been said "clowns can do anything", this is mostly because clowns have such wildly varying performances. "Everyone knows" that a clown can do magic, juggle, balance things on his nose, do backflips, etc, but clowns might be called on to do just about anything.

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In the circus, a clown might be convinced to perform another circus role:

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• Walk a tightrope, a highwire, a slack rope, or a piece of rope on the ground, though in the latter case, the predictably unpredictable clown might be just as likely to wrestle around on the ground with it, as if it were a boa constrictor.
• Ride a horse, a zebra, a donkey, an elephant, or even an ostrich.
• Substitute himself in the role of "lion tamer".
• Act as "emcee", from M.C. or Master of Ceremonies, the preferred term for a clown taking on the role of "Ringmaster".
• "Sit in" with the orchestra, perhaps in a "pin spot" in the center ring, or from a seat in the audience.
• Anything any other circus performer might do. It is not uncommon for an acrobat, a horse-back rider, or a lion tamer to secretly stand-in for the clown, the "switch" taking place in a brief moment offstage.