Clowning Around - on 4 Extra

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BBC Radio 4 Extra

Clowning Around on 4 Extra: 2. Victorian clowns and Dan Leno

Clowning Around on 4 Extra

2. Victorian clowns and Dan Leno

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Clowning Around on 4 Extra, 2. Victorian clowns and Dan Leno

Tony Lidington traces the influence of clowning on the evolution of British comedy.

Tony Lidington continues tracing the role of the clown in British humour – from the Great Grimaldi to the present day.

Tony Lidington examines the role of the clown in British humour – from the Great Grimaldi through stars of circus, pantomime and Pierrots, to modern entertainers and even activists.

Drawing on his own performances, BBC archive and contemporary experts, Tony traces the clown's evolution.
 
In the second of three programmes, Tony looks at Victorian clowning, century travelling circuses, the enormous appeal of pantos. 

Also the successful – and often tragically short lives - of entertainers like Dan Leno, once hailed as ‘the funniest man in the world’.
 
Producer: Mike Greenwood

Made for Radio 4 Extra by Pier Productions and first broadcast in March 2014.

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Tony Lidington traces the role of the clown in British humour

Tony Lidington traces the role of the clown in British humour, from the Great Grimaldi through stars of circus and panto, to modern entertainers and activists

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Clowning Around on 4 Extra

2. Victorian clowns and Dan Leno

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