Stop Clowning around – there are rules to follow!

clown fancy dress

Whether you’re a clown fan or run a mile every time you see a white-faced juggler, these entertainers have been around for a while! The earliest record of the word clown dates from as early as 1560 and the world’s oldest clown society, Clowns International, was founded in 1947.

Are you someone that finds clowns terrifying? You are certainly not alone. Creepy clowns date back as far as the 1800s in theatre. There are still occasions where clowns appear as intentionally sinister characters and these are ruining clown’s reputations as a whole. Believe it or not, these clowns are actually breaking the rules!

Now, you cannot just be a clown and do as you please. That wouldn’t do! There are a set of guidelines called the Clown Commandments which aim to stamp out bad clowning behaviour. Here are a few of our favourites.

Number 1: “I will keep my acts, performance and behaviour in good taste while I am in costume and makeup…” 

Number 2: “I will conduct myself as a gentleman/lady at all times.”

Number 6: I will do my very best to maintain the best clown standards of makeup, costuming, properties, and comedy.

There are a couple of clown celebs who set a fine example for clownkind. The original panto clown to wear the typical white face makeup was Joseph Grimaldi. He dominated the pantomime scene in the early 19th century. The nickname Joey for clowns originated from him. Ronald Macdonald himself first appeared on our screens in 1963 and was everyone’s favourite clown up until 2003, when the burger chain started to phase the old mascot out in favour of boring regular people.

Did you know that International Clown Week is celebrated every year from 1-7th August. If you can’t wait until then to get your clown on or have a party to go to, have a look at our clown costumes here!