Be A Clown! | The Complete Guide to Instant Clowning by Turk Pipkin | book review | clown ministry | Reviews

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Book Reviews - Be A Clown! - The Complete Guide to Instant Clowning by Turk Pipkin, Walt Chrynwski, Chris Reed

(Editor's note: this book should not be confused with the children's book "Be A Clown" nor Mark Stolzenberg's Be A Clown, and has no relation to Cole Porter's classic song "Be A Clown")

Paperback - 104 pages

A very nice book - light and lively, easily read, many photos, with a good insight to the mind & heart of a clown. This lively, humorous handbook covers all aspects of clownmanship, including make up, funny faces, costume (including inexpensive clown-size shoes), and props (including a favorite Red Skelton routine, the Bouncing Hankie). Encourages the reader to create a clown persona with many photos and suggestions. Several getting-started routines are included. Develop your own oddball walk, swallow chair legs -- you'll always have a stunt up your sleeve. Written by the towering Turk Pipkin, a 6' 7" professional clown.

Includes plastic clown nose (OK for starting, but you'll want to get a "real" nose). The more I read it, the more I like it.

Introduction: Step Right Up

A very good introduction to the book, and to clowning in general. Italicized entries are sidebars or pull-outs, discussing something of interest, typically a clown bit, skit, or piece of advice -- in this instance, the classic balancing a (ping pong ball, feather, cup, etc.) on your clown nose.

Who Am I?
Balance a Ping Pong Ball on Your Nose
The Heart of a Clown
Five Great Clown Handshakes

Ring One: Get Ready
- To Speak or Not To Speak
Will your clown speak, or be silent? Discussing the pros and cons of each, as well as non-verbal communication, which is vital for both styles of clowning. As an aside, I love the Flea Circus skit! You can see a version of that on film in Chaplin's Limelight.
- Your Clown Costume
Central to your clown character, discussing your costume. He begins with hats, which many clowns use -- but as he says in Suited to You, if it doesn't fit your character, don't use it! You can see the Spring-loaded Hat Trick to the right. He also discusses some inexpensive (and creative) ways to get some clown shoes that match your character.
- The First Steps
Something overlooked by a lot of introductory clowning books is the walk, or posture, of a clown. Remember Groucho Marx? You should. Remember the distinctive walk of Carol Burnett's 'Mrs. H-Whiggins'?
- Make-Up: Creating a Unique Face
Using a minimalist, everyman style of make-up. If that works for you, wonderful! If not, feel free to consult a different book, such as Strutter's Complete Guide to Clown Make-Up.
- Clown props
  - Special Delivery
  - The Bouncing Apple
  - The Bouncing Hankie
  - In a Classy Joint
- Think Like a Clown
The essential part of clowning -- how to think like a clown.
Ring Two: Get Set
- Clown Skills
A very basic introduction to some of the better known skills your clown might use, but covering the basics. And the classic Boxing Sketch does a good job of demonstrating how to do slapstick safely and properly.
- Satire and Parody
  - The Clown Marksman
  - The Clown Magician
  - The Sword Swallower
- Clowning With Kids
  - Hey Kids! Shaking hands
  - Balloon Animals
  - Who's There? (Following in your Footsteps)
  - Afghan Bands: The Story of the Circus Belts
  - A Stunt That Wows!
  - At a Party
- Audience Participation
I have to admit, I'm a big fan of audience participation sketches. And a much bigger fan of the Parade of Elephants after seeing it done live at Clown Camp 1998 by Brenda Ahern -- it works, and it's hilarious!
- The Sideshow
  - Around the Circus
  - More Classic Clown Turns
  - Circus Lingo
Ring Three: Go!
- Once a Clown
- Putting It All Together
- Kiss You! I Hardly Know You!
Appendix: Sweeping Up The Sawdust
- Where To Now?
  - Schools for Clowns
  - Equipment and Information
Index