Archive clown clips and videos

A selection of favourite clown footage from past to present

Jacques Lecoq on Clown

This is some rare footage of one of the founders of modern theatre clown practice, Jacques Lecoq. These are extracts from the lecture-demonstration given by Jacques Lecoq at Wilhelmsbad in 1971 as part of the European Mime Festival. Subtitles in English by Jon Davison and Camille Suarez. Sourced from Jon Davison youtube channel.

The Clown Philosopher

This is a great video made by American Theatre Wing for National Geographic. It depicts several clown journeys from beginner to established world leaders. Footage includes Slava Polunin, Bill Irwin, David Shine amongst others and is well worth the 20 minutes study

SPYMONKEY

SPYMONKEY is the UK’s leading physical comedy ensemble, based in Brighton and comprising a core creative ensemble They have been making sublimely ridiculous theatre since 1998.

 With a dark, edgy physical comedy rooted ‘somewhere between Monty Python, the Marx Brothers and Samuel Beckett’ (The Houston Chronicle), and a quartet of performers from Spain, Germany and England, Spymonkey have proved to be a truly international phenomenon, enjoyed by and accessible to a wide range of international audiences. They have created 9 shows to date.

Theatre Licedei

Licedei is the first and most important clown theatre group in Russia. It was formed in 1968 in Leningrad by Slava Polunin – who directed it for 25 years – and by some other artists who still remain in Licedei. Throughout its existence, Licedei has won numerous awards at International Humor Festivals. The reception that the international public has brought to Licedei has always been very positive since the originality of  gags and  staging is celebrated. Licedei has its own style, unique, with aspects that mix clown, varieties and farce in a form of poetic clowning  Internationally, Licedei is considered one of the best groups of its kind.

Great solo Clown from The Teatr Licedei !

Theatre Licedei is a troupe of clowns founded by Slava Polunin and originally based in Leningrad, I don’t know the name of this performer.

An early example of Jacques Tati

“School for Postmen” (French: L’École des facteurs) made  in 1947  directed by Jacques Tati. Tati plays a French postman adamant to prove he can be just as fast as American postmen at delivering mail. The film inspired his  first major feature film, Jour de fête, released two years later.

Palestinian clown

I found this powerful video (2012) of an extraordinary clown attempting to bridge the gap between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians on youtube whilst researching clowns working with refugees and in war zones. I think it is an extremely courageous performance and also a perfect example of how the clown can be used to diffuse tension or point out the absurdity of conflict. It is interesting to note that at some point in the video he swops the red nose for a black one! I don’t know much about the performer but I take my hat off to him.

Lucille Ball and Harpo Marx

Lovely video from the I Love Lucy show starring Lucille Ball and Harpo Marx

original air date may 1955

Max Wall

A clip of Max Wall as Professor Wallofski, playing piano sketch and famous funny walk