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Glossary

The Lazzi Technique

Within different circus arts and comedy traditions over the centuries, the Italian technique of lazzi (sometimes spelled lazzo in English) refers to an established comedic gag or bit involving exaggerated physical actions. As an essential tool in the clown's skill set, lazzi offer go-to laugh-inducing skits to weave naturally into circus shows for reliable crowd-pleasing effects.

Origins & History

The lazzi comedic device traces its heritage back to masked improvisational theater, originating in 16th century Italian Commedia dell’arte troupes who toured towns with semi-improvised sketches. The zany stock characters of Commedia like clownish servants called Zanni would incorporate signature physical gags called lazzi at opportune moments to spice up familiar scenarios. These repeatable silly stunts allowed the performer to improvise dialogue and scenarios while always having clever sight gags on hand to pepper throughout the show on short notice to enliven crowds.

Over generations, clowns and circus performers evolved similar codified lazzi routines as efficient laugh generators to toss spontaneously into various acts and skits. So the masked Harlequin might break out his signature feat of jumping through his own legs, or the oafish Pierrot stumble into the classic lazzo of chaotically juggling straw hats.

Examples

Today's clowns choose from a lexicon of hundreds of established lazzi stunts passed down through circus generations to always have a reliable gag ready in their back pocket. Some classic examples include:

  • The Escape Act:  A clown frantically struggles to escape imaginary ropes or a jacket with sleeves knotted together

  • Bump and Stumble:  Two clowns repeatedly crash into each painfully yet cluelessly keep trying to pass by

  • The Beau's Horse:  A clown pretends an invisible horse gets away, then chases after it flailing wildly

  • Bouncing Dinner Plate : A rubbery dish is attached to a clown's chest who bounces it higher with their hands after each fall

While many traditions claim lazzi as their heritage, the concept remains a fundamental tool for clowns and physical comedians who interlace spontaneous structured gags amidst other interactive banter and stories for reliable audience reactions anywhere.

Writing New Lazzi Routines

While hundreds of established lazzi stunts exist across cultures to incorporate, modern clowns also craft entirely new signature bits. The formula includes:

  • A seemingly straightforward task or process

  • An absurd twist that frustrates success

  • Escalations of the initial comic problem

  • Eventual triumph or an unexpected switch

Other keys for developing fresh lazzi routines include:

  • Exaggeration:  Overact movements and facial expressions

  • Repetition:  Repeat gags with slight progressive twists

  • Escalation : Increase speed, scale or complications

  • Payoffs : Add a climactic resolution for the finale

The best new lazzi feel impromptu but represent extensively planned meticulous timing and physical coordination, just like the classic historical stunts. Master clowns conceal the intense preparation behind their casual tossed-off lazzi moments through years of diligent rehearsal.

Performing Lazzi Gags

Weaving lazzi gags smoothly into a clown show or skit requires artful finesse. Key tips:

  • Act casual, talkative and distracted  during the build up to not telegraph imminent physical stunting

  • Wait for an organic moment  mid-skit where a transition to physical theater feels unforced

  • Commit fully  when launching the vigorous lazzi sequence

  • Stick each stunt's landing  cleanly before continuing patter seamlessly

This natural-seeming integration allows the precise physical lazzo moments to punch through unexpectedly and amplify the skit’s overall comedic effect. Seeking steady audience laughter signals guides savvy clowns on which lazzi to attempt and when.

In summary, the fundamental technique of lazzi gives clowns an agile improv toolbox, allowing comedians of any era to pepper physical comedy stunts spontaneously within a skit for reliable bursts of amusement in crowds. This classical innovation in improvised theater continues to drive much laughter under the big top through to modern times.