Evil Clown Best Know For His Roles As Dummy And Cross Dressing As A Grandmother

What is 'it'? Life? Circumstances? Existence in its sublime absurdity?

I find it remarkable.

I am going to use Barry (right), likely very unfairly. I am not naming him or thinking directly about him, but his act and his picture have got my mind churning somewhat on the use of a disguise as a disguise. Let me complicate.

If you have inclinations or happinesses that are not socially running at a premium, it occurs to me, as it must occur to others, that one might be able to slip past the rope by slipping on a red nose and a little makeup and after a deep breath and a stiff drink overplaying your secret desire In Front Of God And The Whole World.

If you get the tone and timing just right, the crowds will adore not abhor you. This is closer to the real deep magic of the Clown - not the hedge magic of card tricks. This is where the Clown begins to meet the Magician of the tarot and of mythology.

Eddie Murphy's Raw (1987) video was a huge retailing success in the early years of VCRs. His success was partially fueled by his high octane brand of homophobia and red leather.

He also made light of a lot of painful sounding memories such as abuse and alcoholism.

He could make people laugh so hard that they’d cry.

For a moment he was the funniest clown on the planet.

But it wasn’t Eddie that started me in this direction…

Meet Barry Lubin, 2002 Inductee Into The International Clown Hall of Fame

Barry Lubin began touring with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1975. He teamed with Jim Tinsman in performing Schnitzel-a ventriloquist routine. The two of them were the first American clowns invited to compete in the Monte Carlo Circus Festival performing that routine in which Barry, who is small, performs as the ventriloquist’s dummy. However, Barry is best known for playing his "Grandma" character.

While with the RBB&B circus in the ‘70’s, Barry was given the rare opportunity to work in the stands throughout the entire show. From 1983 through 1987, and again in the 90’s, Barry joined the cast of the Big Apple Circus. The trio, Michael Christensen, Goeff Gordon, and Barry Lubin, became one of the most acclaimed circus clown troupes. In Acrobats of the Soul, Ron Jenkins wrote: "The trio created an exciting style of ensemble clowning that is rare in modern American Circuses. Their comedy was deftly integrated into the context of the circus acts that surrounded them."

Barry has been featured several times on Big Apple Circus posters and program covers. After Barry left the circus, he teamed with Dick Monday performing Schnitzel and other routines. The pair was part of Disneyland’s Circus Fantasy performance, the Royal Hanneford Circus and the Great Circus Parade Festival. Barry also taught at RBB&B Clown College.

Barry "Grandma" Lubin (1953-?)

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I pretended not to be afraid
I played the fool
I played the drowning man

- Wild Strawberries, Heroine, Heroine, 1996

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