MIME

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DEFINITION OF MIME

Mime is a stylised form of movement which creates

an illusion of reality.

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BRIEF HISTORY OF MIME

•Mime is considered one of the earliest mediums of self-expression. •Before there was spoken language, mime was used to communicate what the primitive people needed or wanted.

•It developed into a true theatrical form in ancient Greece, where performers enacted everyday scenes with the help of elaborate gestures.

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BRIEF HISTORY OF MIME

Mime continued to entertain in sixteenth century Italy, in the form of Commedia dell‘ Arte.

Commedia dell' Arte originated in the market places of the Italian streets, where performers wore masks with exaggerated comical features to draw attention

to themselves and to complement their acrobatic skills.

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BRIEF HISTORY OF MIME

•Mime received new impetus after the First World War from the great Jacques Copeau.

•After the Second World War, Marcel Marceau emerged. He created his own special character, known as 'Bip', who is a familiar sight, with his top hat with the flower sticking out, and his short jacket.

•Influenced by silent film stars like Chaplin and Keaton, Marceau was the architect of a totally new and modern style and tradition of mime.

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MIME IN SCHOOL

You learn about Mime in school to help you to focus on communicating in a different way and to enable you

to develop your movement skills.

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MIME REVISION

Always remember S.P.E.C.SSlow

Precise

Exaggerated

Clear

Simple

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MIME REVISION

Remember you can’t use props or sound to communicate to the audience so you must

rely only on your movement and facial expressions.

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MIME REVISION

Click on the links below to watch some great artists at work:

Clip One – Marcel Marceau – The Tango Dancer

Clip Two – Marcel Marceau – The Lion Tamer

Clip Three – Commedia dell' Arte

Clip Four – Charlie Chaplin Montage

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MIME REVISION QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions on paper or in WORD and email to your

teacher.

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MIME REVISION QUESTIONS

1. What are the advantages to using mime as your drama form?

2. What are the disadvantages of using mime as your drama form?

3. Think of a piece of mime that you have devised and performed. What elements of S.P.E.C.S do you feel you used most effectively in this performance? Explain your answer.

4. Having watched some mime artists at work in the clips, what stood out to you about their performances?

5. Outline your mime ideas for the stimulus of ‘The picnic.’ Be specific about the facial expression and movements you will use.

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WELL DONEYou have now completed revision on Mime. NOW evaluate your understanding:

If you require more help inform your teacher and refer to your Revision Booklet.

Red- still struggling

Amber -understand some of this revisionGreen- fully understand

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