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Marcel Marceau: Au Revoir
This weekend, mime legend Marcel Marceau passed away at 84. Marceau's career spanned more than 50 years, defined the art, and inspired countless pale imitations. But I gotta tell you the truth; before I researched this piece, I didn't even think I liked mime. Well, shows what I know -- I found so much great stuff, I had to leave out Shields and Yarnell, which is pretty hardcore when you're talking mime retrospective. So here's a look at the man himself, and a peek at all the stuff talented people can do with their mouths shut.
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BBC Interview
A short but delightful interview with Marceau from BBC World News. In this age of world-weary stars and canned interview responses, it's really quite moving to see a performer speak about his art with such pure joy. If you weren't a fan of mime in general or Marceau in particular before this intervew, you may be in for a change of heart. |
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Charlie Chaplin, "By the Sea"
No, Chaplin wasn't a mime. But he was Marceau's first and greatest inspiration, so he deserves a spot in this lineup. Besides, it's not like opportunities to watch orignal Chaplin Essanay shorts are cropping up all over nowadays. |
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Billy the Mime, "JFK Jr, We Hardly Knew Ye"
From classic silent film to classically questionable taste. Yes, this piece by Billy the Mime (aka comedian, musician, and Spongebob Squarepants writer Steven Banks) pushes the envelope by the end. But how do you pass up a guy that can mime flunking the bar exam? |
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Garment of Praise Mime Ministry
Mime Ministries combine dance, signing, and mime into a unique art form that exists for the sole purpose of praising God. And until about a day ago, I had no idea they existed. But Christian mime has been around for more than twenty years, and there are so many fantastic performances by mime ministries on YouTube I could get a whole other High Five out of them. Until that day, however, check out this great video from The Garment of Praise. |
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David Armand as Johann Lippowitz, "Torn"
Armand, a British actor best known for his work with comedy troupe The Hollow Men, gained internet fame with this "deaf karaoke" rendition of Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn," performed by his alter ego, Austrian interpretive dancer Johan Lippowitz. A strange fusion of real sign language, bawdy hand gestures, and sheer cheek, the performance was such a hit that Imbruglia herself caught the fever a couple of months later and peformed the song live with Armand at The Secret Policeman's Ball. But the original remains the best. |
