Editing Circus clown (section)

==Traditional types==
There are traditionally three basic types of clowns that appear in the circus: the '''whiteface''', the '''auguste''' and the '''character'''. A fourth type, the '''tramp''' or '''hobo clown''', is often recognized separately, though similar to the other three types.

Absolute definitions of what constitutes each clown type varies, with performers encompassing an extremely wide range of styles, from the classical to the innovative.

==={{anchor|White}}The whiteface clown===
[[File:Cirque d'Hiver de Paris. La chasse à courre et les célèbres clowns Paul François Albert Fratellini c.1930.jpg|thumb|Poster for the Cirque d'Hiver in Paris with famous clown family the Fratellini's]]
The '''whiteface''' (or white clown) is the oldest of the clown archetypes. In modern times, when whitefaces perform with other clowns, they usually function as the leader of the group. Whiteface clowns use "clown white" makeup to cover their entire face and neck, with none of the underlying flesh colour showing. Features are then usually painted on in either red or black.

The whiteface clown is traditionally costumed more extravagantly than the other two clown types. They often wear the ruffled collar and pointed hat which typify the average person's idea of a "clown suit".

Notable examples of whiteface clowns in circus history include [[François Fratellini]] and [[Felix Adler (clown)|Felix Adler]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=François Fratellini {{!}} French circus performer {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francois-Fratellini |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Felix Adler American Circus Clown |url=https://www.circusesandsideshows.com/performers/felixadler.html |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=www.circusesandsideshows.com}}</ref>

Canio, the protagonist of [[Ruggiero Leoncavallo]]'s famous tragic opera ''[[Pagliacci]]'', is typically dressed as a whiteface clown. He is a classic trope of the "[[Sad clown paradox|sad clown]]" (or [[jester]]) who laughs on the outside, but is secretly melancholic due to a grievance or a depressed state of mind.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-01-06 |title="Pagliacci": Classic tale of the tears of a clown |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/pagliacci-classic-tale-of-the-tears-of-a-clown/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Red}}{{anchor|Auguste}}The Auguste===
Accompanying the white clown, there is often another clown variety known as an '''Auguste''' or '''red clown.''' In strict classical European circuses of the past, the augustes were never described as clowns because, technically, they were not instigators but recipients of the comic doings. The augustes are the ones who get the pies in the face, are squirted with water, are knocked down on their backside, sit accidentally in wet paint, or have their trousers ripped off.

The base color for the Auguste face makeup is some variation of red, pink, or flesh tone. The eyes and the mouth are encircled in white and the features are highlighted, traditionally in red and black. The Auguste is usually costumed in baggy plaids accented with colorful polka dots or loud stripes. They boast wide-collared shirts, long neckties, unruly colored wigs and oversized noses and shoes.

Notable examples of augustes in the circus history include [[Albert Fratellini]], [[Lou Jacobs]], [[Greg and Karen DeSanto]], [[Coco the Clown]], and [[Charlie Rivel]].

==={{anchor|Character}}The character clown===
[[File:Ringling Circus Clown Emmett Kelly in Sarasota, Florida c.1947.jpg|thumb|Emmett Kelly as his hobo-clown character, Weary Willie]]
The '''character clown''' adopts an eccentric character of some type, such as a butcher, a baker, a policeman, a housewife or [[hobo]]. Prime examples of this type of clown are the circus tramps [[Otto Griebling]] and [[Emmett Kelly]]. On film, [[Red Skelton]], [[Harold Lloyd]], [[Buster Keaton]] and [[Charlie Chaplin]] would all fit the definition of a character clown. (Note: Nowadays,{{when|date=May 2020}} the hobo or tramp clown is often considered a separate class and is treated as such in competitions at clown conventions.)

The character clown makeup is a comic slant on the standard human face. Their makeup starts with a flesh tone base and may make use of anything from glasses, mustaches and beards to freckles, warts, big ears or strange haircuts. The most prevalent character clown in the American circus is the tramp or hobo clown with a thick [[five-o'clock shadow]] and wearing shabby, crumpled garments.

When working in a traditional trio situation,  the character clown will play "contre-auguste" (a second, less wild auguste), siding with either the white or red clown. Sometimes they are more cunning and less dim than the auguste.

Notable examples of character clowns in the circus include, Dev Chaube, [[Barry Lubin]], [[Bill Irwin]], [[David Shiner (clown)|David Shiner]], [[Geoff Hoyle]], [[Charlie Cairoli]], [[Oleg Popov]], and [[Bello Nock]].

Examples of the ''contre-auguste'' character in non-circus trios include [[Larry Fine (actor)|Larry Fine]] of [[the Three Stooges]] and [[Chico Marx]] of [[the Marx Brothers]].