Special Sub-Topic: A Brief History of Mime Click Here To Play: A Brief History of Mime

The word, mime, comes from which early civilization?

Greek. History shows that Pantomimos was the first to perform a version of miming. From the "mimos" section of the word has evolved words like mime, mimic, as well as imitate.

Early English mimes were known as which of these?

mummers. I could not find where this term derived, but I would be surprised if it is not connected to another English phrase that is still around today, and that is to "keep mum" is to keep silent.

The definition of mime is which of these?

Story through body motion without the use of speech. True mimes could tell a story from beginning to end without ever having to repeat a movement.

Jean-Gaspard Deburua introduced the "pantomine blanche" to the art of mime. What is this?

White face. Many early mimes felt more comfortable performing behind masks, however Jean-Gaspard found this interfered with his act, and therefore decided to paint his mask on.

Which of the following was NOT a noted mime?

Eddie the Eagle. These were but a few famous mimes that could make people laugh without saying a thing. True entertainers in every sense of the word! Eddie the Eagle was a great athlete; I even heard him scream over here in Australia.

Marcel Marceau had a famous character known worldwide. What was this character's name?

Bip. "Bip" was a mime version of a clown. It was this persona that made the "pantomine blanche" (which was created by Jean-Gaspard Deburua) what it is today.

Mime is generally performed in which of these?

Stage, street theatre. If you see a mime performing at a bazaar or market, do yourself a favor. Spend five minutes and watch the "beauty of mime". I am sure that you will have no hesitation to throw a couple of coins into their collection tray.

Although mime originated in Greece, it generally included song and dance. Which culture was the first recorded to present "mime" as we know it today?

Roman. The Roman jesters were the first to realize that they could tell a story without having to say or sing anything, much to the mirth of the hierarchy.

At 15 years of age, Billy Krahl started studying under Jewel Walker, who was one of America's best stage mimes. Who did this world-famous mime become known as?

Kiko the Clown. Kiko the Clown was the mime that performed to the audience during versions of Hans Christian Anderson's famous production of "Hansel and Gretel".

Mime is known as the what language?

Universal. Any form of communication where you can make people understand something, no matter where they are from, is truly a universal language!