Mime and Pantomime
While in college I attended a one hour mime class at a One Way Street Festival. A few years later, while at UW-LaCrosse Clown Camp I attended a one hour session with the amazing Steve Smith. This began to ignite my passion for understanding mime and movement. Future classes ensued with Debbie O'Carrol, Jose Rivera, Karen Hoyer, Darren Stevenson, and then at the Goldston-Johnson School of Mime and Celebration Barn Theater. As I continue to study, my understanding of movement and the art of mime continues to evolve.
I used to think that the term "mime" and "pantomime" were interchangeable. And for some people, it probably is; simply because word usage often determines meaning of a word. For example: The word "cool" used to only mean "of lower temperature." Through slang usage, the word now also has a secondary meaning which means, "of a desirable quality bringing admiration." So, if a group of people use the term "pantomime" in place of the word "mime" long enough, then people come to understand that the two words mean the same thing. I believe this has happened for many in regards to the words "mime" and "pantomime," though it's not totally accurate. They do not necessarily mean the same thing.
In the Middle ages the traveling street performers of the Commedia Del Arte performed non-verbal sketches referred to as pantomimes. These pantomimes are where the characters Harlequin, Punchinella, Pierrot and others were birthed and developed. Later, these performances were brought into the theaters for more formal viewings.
Through the years, the venues of performances changed, but the dramatic and comedic characters continued on. Eventually, the evolved characters (now understood to be clowns) found their way into the circus. Over the last century, in European circus, the clowns present a show-ending performance lasting about 20 minutes in length. This closing act would be presented verbally or non-verbally. That piece was also known as a pantomime.
When Red Skelton performed he would do a series of isolated sketches—such as the "Man Climbing the Eiffel Tower With His Wife," and "Father Viewing Baby," and "Old Man Playing Golf." He referred to these as pantomimes. They were specific skits that he presented using the art of mime.
It is hard to put into words a definition for mime. This is a communication technique using methodical movement that generally uses no words. Thus, it's hard to put words to the definition of this art that needs no words. "Mime" as defined by some at Goldston-Johnson School of Mime is "the art of gesture."
Mime involves portrayal of attitudes, emotions and concepts without dependence on props or words or sounds. Mime involves intentional movement and intentional stillness. It requires a training of the body so that physically the performer is communicating the message and ideas clearly to the audience. In "The Mime Book" Claude Kipnis states, "Mime is the art of creating the illusion of reality….the art of recreating the world by moving and positioning the human body…the art of imagining the world together with others."
Just because a person does a silent clown piece does not mean that he is performing mime. Mime is strategic movement—not just silence. The clown may be performing a pantomime though.
To me, "pantomime" is a set performance piece. It is a defined thing. It is concrete. It is a timed routine that I've developed before, and will present it the same way again.
"Mime" is an art form. Mime is about stillness and movement. Mime is about portraying emotions and attitudes through body language and positioning. Mime is about creating the illusion that something is really there that is not. A mime makes it look like he's walking somewhere, but he isn't. He's growing older, but he isn't. He is climbing a ladder, but he's not. He is creating the illusion that something exists that only currently exists in the mind of the performer and his audience. Something is happening that is not really happening. It's an illusion.
These illusionary mime techniques may be used numerous places. The clown tries to pick up his suitcase and it is appears to be stuck to the floor. He cannot make it budge. So, he opens the suitcase, and pulls out a sock, and closes the suitcase again. Now, since the suitcase is lighter, the suitcase begins to float in the air…high and higher…slowly lifting the clown almost off the ground. This is the use of mime with props. Mime may be used during the presentation of a pantomime.
"Mime" may be thought of as verb. "Pantomime" is noun. Mime is an action (verb). Pantomime is a thing (a skit).
As stated earlier, many people will substitute these two words for each other. That's not necessarily wrong. At times throughout history these two items have been synonymous.
For those who desire to be effective communicators, I do recommend study of mime techniques and concepts. You may find someone who can teach you more by contacting local theater departments. You may need to contact a booking agency in your area and find out if they employ mimes. These people may be able to help you find professionals that can help you.
A number of books and videos on mime are available on the market today. The one I recommend as the best is "Mime Spoken Here" Volume One by Tony Montanaro. It may be obtained through contact with Celebration Barn Theater.
This article originally appeared in the "Cross and the Clown" magazine and is also part of Randy's collection of articles in the "My Heart, My Art" booklet. Go to www.RandysInfo.com for ordering information.
I used to think that the term "mime" and "pantomime" were interchangeable. And for some people, it probably is; simply because word usage often determines meaning of a word. For example: The word "cool" used to only mean "of lower temperature." Through slang usage, the word now also has a secondary meaning which means, "of a desirable quality bringing admiration." So, if a group of people use the term "pantomime" in place of the word "mime" long enough, then people come to understand that the two words mean the same thing. I believe this has happened for many in regards to the words "mime" and "pantomime," though it's not totally accurate. They do not necessarily mean the same thing.
In the Middle ages the traveling street performers of the Commedia Del Arte performed non-verbal sketches referred to as pantomimes. These pantomimes are where the characters Harlequin, Punchinella, Pierrot and others were birthed and developed. Later, these performances were brought into the theaters for more formal viewings.
Through the years, the venues of performances changed, but the dramatic and comedic characters continued on. Eventually, the evolved characters (now understood to be clowns) found their way into the circus. Over the last century, in European circus, the clowns present a show-ending performance lasting about 20 minutes in length. This closing act would be presented verbally or non-verbally. That piece was also known as a pantomime.
When Red Skelton performed he would do a series of isolated sketches—such as the "Man Climbing the Eiffel Tower With His Wife," and "Father Viewing Baby," and "Old Man Playing Golf." He referred to these as pantomimes. They were specific skits that he presented using the art of mime.
It is hard to put into words a definition for mime. This is a communication technique using methodical movement that generally uses no words. Thus, it's hard to put words to the definition of this art that needs no words. "Mime" as defined by some at Goldston-Johnson School of Mime is "the art of gesture."
Mime involves portrayal of attitudes, emotions and concepts without dependence on props or words or sounds. Mime involves intentional movement and intentional stillness. It requires a training of the body so that physically the performer is communicating the message and ideas clearly to the audience. In "The Mime Book" Claude Kipnis states, "Mime is the art of creating the illusion of reality….the art of recreating the world by moving and positioning the human body…the art of imagining the world together with others."
Just because a person does a silent clown piece does not mean that he is performing mime. Mime is strategic movement—not just silence. The clown may be performing a pantomime though.
To me, "pantomime" is a set performance piece. It is a defined thing. It is concrete. It is a timed routine that I've developed before, and will present it the same way again.
"Mime" is an art form. Mime is about stillness and movement. Mime is about portraying emotions and attitudes through body language and positioning. Mime is about creating the illusion that something is really there that is not. A mime makes it look like he's walking somewhere, but he isn't. He's growing older, but he isn't. He is climbing a ladder, but he's not. He is creating the illusion that something exists that only currently exists in the mind of the performer and his audience. Something is happening that is not really happening. It's an illusion.
These illusionary mime techniques may be used numerous places. The clown tries to pick up his suitcase and it is appears to be stuck to the floor. He cannot make it budge. So, he opens the suitcase, and pulls out a sock, and closes the suitcase again. Now, since the suitcase is lighter, the suitcase begins to float in the air…high and higher…slowly lifting the clown almost off the ground. This is the use of mime with props. Mime may be used during the presentation of a pantomime.
"Mime" may be thought of as verb. "Pantomime" is noun. Mime is an action (verb). Pantomime is a thing (a skit).
As stated earlier, many people will substitute these two words for each other. That's not necessarily wrong. At times throughout history these two items have been synonymous.
For those who desire to be effective communicators, I do recommend study of mime techniques and concepts. You may find someone who can teach you more by contacting local theater departments. You may need to contact a booking agency in your area and find out if they employ mimes. These people may be able to help you find professionals that can help you.
A number of books and videos on mime are available on the market today. The one I recommend as the best is "Mime Spoken Here" Volume One by Tony Montanaro. It may be obtained through contact with Celebration Barn Theater.
This article originally appeared in the "Cross and the Clown" magazine and is also part of Randy's collection of articles in the "My Heart, My Art" booklet. Go to www.RandysInfo.com for ordering information.
Labels: clown development
posted by Randy | 8:05 AM
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