A mime or mime artist (from Greek μῖμος, mimos, “imitator, actor”) is someone who uses mime as a theatrical medium….or as a performance art involving miming….or the acting out a story through body motions without use of speech. In earlier times, in English, such a performer would typically be referred to as a mummer. Miming is to be distinguished from silent comedy….in which the artist is a seamless character in a film or sketch. The performance of mime originates at its earliest in Ancient Greece….the name is taken from a single masked dancer called Pantomimus…..although performances were not necessarily silent. In Medieval Europe, early forms of mime such as mummer plays and later dumbshows evolved. In early nineteenth century Paris, Jean-Gaspard Deburau solidified the many attributes that we have come to know in modern times—the silent figure in whiteface.
Mime has been performed on stage….with Marcel Marceau and his character “Bip” being the most famous. Mime is also a popular art form in street theatre and busking. Traditionally, these sorts of performances involve the actor/actress wearing tight black and white clothing with white facial makeup. However, contemporary mimes often perform without whiteface. Similarly, while traditional mimes have been completely silent, contemporary mimes, while refraining from speaking, sometimes employ vocal sounds when they perform. Mime acts are often comical, but some can be very serious…..but when it came to Red Skelton and mime….he could make you laugh.
