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American:
The Big Top Clown is our American contribution to the
world of clowning. These clowns or "Charlies" are an
outgrowth of a lower echelon circus employee called the
"carpet clown". Early American circuses were known as
"mud shows". The name stuck because these traveling
exhibitions were often performed in open fields
sometimes with a leaky canvas cover.
Most were horse
shows featuring trick riding exhibitions. Due to the
unsure footing of the muddy arenas, a special ground
carpet had to be used to protect the riders and their
horses. The time required to lay this carpet between
acts became a problem, for the delay inevitably produced
restless audiences and the stamping of feet. Clowns
saved the day. Through them, the laying of the carpet
became a circus act itself. A new breed of clown was
born. . .the carpet clown who rolled out the carpet amid
pratfalls and other sight-gags, keeping the audience
interested during these necessary intermissions.
The
type of job, combined with the muddy surroundings, gave
birth to the tramp look. The elegant costumes of the
white-face clown could not remain pristine in the Old
West environment so the tattered, scruffy look became
the appropriate dress for the carpet clown. It was much
better suited to withstand the pratfalls in the mud and
dirt. With sad faces and soiled clothes our American
clown has a permanent place in all of our hearts. He has
taught us how to laugh at the blues and no matter what
knocks us down to wipe off the dust and stand again.
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