European Street Mimes and Living Statues

Many European street corners are transformed into open air street theaters, silently drawing curious seekers into the “play”. These actors are definitely committed to their craft. Bodies and faces are totally covered in very heavy makeup, usually white but sometimes metallics are used to birth a character. While this is being applied, the person then begins his/her journey into silence. Costume put on and a pose is struck and kept, and kept, and kept…the physical control shown always amazes me. Then guided by the adage, “When you give, you receive”,the statue may wink, blow a kiss, have a playful picture taken with a curious tourist, in some way trying to bring a smile, make a connection and at the end of the day hoping the jar at their feet will be filled with people’s monetary appreciation.

Copyright 2012 Frances Schwabenland. Images may not be copied, printed or otherwise disseminated without express written permission of Frances Schwabenland.