Mime artist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A mime artist is someone who uses mime as a theatrical medium or as a performance art. In earlier times, in English, such a performer was referred to as a mummer.
The Roman Pantomimus was a spectacular kind of play in which the actor was confined to gesticulating and dancing, sometimes with a behind-the-scenes chorus providing music and song.
Various forms of dumb show evolved in Europe, most notably the Commedia dell'arte in Italy (with some, often ribald, dialogue).
Modern mime is a branch of theatre in which the performer usually uses no voice but instead performs using spacial and corporeal movement, full-body physical expressions, body language and gesture, often with little or no theatrical props. It is often, but not always, done in white face and the movements and expressions are heightened for greater effect. movement theatre is a related branch of theatre which merges elements of mime with that of modern dance.
Pantomime is also used in the game of charades.
In 2003 Canadian comedy group Very Tasteful created the film Pantomimus, which aired nationally on CBC television.
Famous mime artists/movement theatre artists include:
- Jorn 'Le Bagette'Barger
- Jean-Louis Barrault
- Jean-Gaspard Debureau
- Ladislav Fialka
- Gregg Goldston
- Jacques Lecoq
- Tony Ceravolo
- Marcel Marceau
- Kari Margolis/Tony Brown
- Carlos Martínez
- Harpo Marx
- Samy Molcho
- Oleg Popow
- Mikael Rudolph
- Pan Tau
- Shields And Yarnell
- Michael Lee
Some, like the Swiss troupe, Mummenschanz, take a more surreal approach to their performances.
David Bowie was a mime before he became a singer.
