Stringbean

AUGUSTE CLOWN

The AUGUSTE Clown is the character clown; he is the prankster, the rabble-rouser. He is the most slapstick of all the clowns; his actions are wilder; broader than the other types. The AUGUSTE Clown gets away with more and bigger pranks, when appearing with a White Face, he is the brunt of the joke; but with the Tramp he becomes the instigator in control of the situation. His is the most comic face. His make-up is a flesh color (pink or reddish or tan) instead of white. His features (usually red or black) are exaggerated in size. The mouth is usually thickly outlined with white, which is often also used around the eyes. Outlining is very important. Gradual shading of colors is often used. He will usually have a ball nose, but there are many exceptions.

He almost always wears a wig - usually red, yellow, or orange. The wig may be full or one with a bald center (colored the same as his 'flesh') with a fringe around the sides and back. The hair may be straight or curly. The full AFRO is usually not appropriate. His hat is usually too small - just sits on top of the wig or bald spot. However, normal sized bowlers or caps are sometimes used. Its material may be the same as the coat or pants, or it may be entirely different. The color should complement some part of the costume.

The original AUGUSTE (German meaning "foolish") Clown wore a costume in which he could play jokes on other clowns that often backfired on him and/or do 'prat falls' and other tumbling exercises when he is the butt of the joke. This costume consisted of baggy pants, a knit-neck type shirt or one with a very large or very small collar (sometimes he wore a bib or shirt front that curled up), and large, loud colored shoes. He seldom wore a coat, but when he did, it was always way too big or too small. His costume was a tailor's nightmare. The typical fabric was a large plaid; the brighter or more gaudy the better. Each piece (pants, shirt, coat if worn, tie, or hat) had a different design, i.e. horizontal stripes, vertical or diagonal stripes, polka dots, plaid(s), etc. The color(s) of each piece were bright and would clash with as many of the other pieces as possible. Each part of the costume was a misfit; it was either too large or too small. In recent years (especially in competition) the AUGUSTE's costume has moved closer to that of the grotesque white face clown. Although the various items of his costume may still not always fit his costume now often fits correctly. More often than not his costume is now coordinated, and may be very elaborate, using glitter type fabrics. All in all, he looks more like a 'Show Piece' than a 'foolish' clown.

Much of the above information was from a CLOWN ALLEY article by Bill "Billy" Lozon.


Last updated January 23, 1998

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