The Auguste Clown

The iconic Auguste clown character is the wacky, easily-flustered comic sidekick of the circus clown world, distinguished by his vivid white face, oversized clothes and goofy disposition. Unlike the elegant 'whiteface' clown stereotype, Auguste fills the role of accidental pratfaller, slapstick simpleton, and general provider of the laughs - often at his own expense.

Origins of the Auguste Clown

The origins of the Auguste archetype can be traced back to a real 19th century German circus clown and performer named Tom Belling . Known by the stage name Auguste, he first popularized the persona of a dimwitted clown sidekick with baggy checkered pants, oversized shoes and a nose painted ruby red. His natural awkward missteps and clumsiness made him popular with audiences, and other clowns would go on to emulate his look and persona.

The most notable successor to Auguste was circus legend Lou Jacobs - often called "the King of Clowns". Jacobs developed a classic Auguste style with chalk white face and large mouths of missing teeth, teaming up with a refined 'whiteface' clown as the stooge or object of slapstick abuse. The duo dynamic became a popular staple of the circus, where the Auguste's exaggerated foolishness, exaggerated features and reactions contrasted the straight-man elegance of the white-faced clown 'master'.

Auguste Characteristics and Performance

Key features of the Auguste clown include:

Ridiculous Costume

Oversized shoes, baggy patterned suits with mismatched colors, overdone makeup and disheveled wigs typify the Auguste. The exaggerated, messy look symbolizes he is the idiot incapable of matching normal dress codes.

Exaggerated Emotions and Reactions

Screams, belly laughs, over-the-top crying fits, extreme fear, exaggerated pratfalling and animated movements in response to events define the Auguste's foolishness and high emotionality. Events always seem more shocking and outrageous through his reactions.

Butt of Jokes and Abuse

Part of the appeal is the Auguste bearing the brunt of mishaps and the butt of jokes at his own expense. Whether being squirted with water, made to slip on banana peels or crammed into tiny clown cars, his gangly flailing reactions exaggerate the absurdity.

Well-Meaning Simpleton

At heart, the Auguste retains a childlike naïveté and friendly innocence. He may mess up constantly with his clumsy nature, but he means no real harm even when frustrated or angered. His failures are sillier than mean-spirited.

Over time, the Auguste character was adapted in various forms of clowning, from circus to stage to film and TV. Notable on-screen incarnations like the Three Stooges played up the slapstick dunce roles for laughs, just like a classic circus Auguste. The character remains instantly recognizable and keeps clowning energetic and farcical whatever the venue.