Performing
See also acrobatics; drama; films; music; songs and singing; tightrope walking.
Barnumism
showmanship or any activity taking advantage of people’s credulity or desire for sensational entertainment, as practiced by P. T. Barnum (1810-91).
callithumpian
a participant in a noisy mock serenade, as a charivari.
a mock serenade accompanied by much noise and revelry, often played as a joke on newly married couples.
a strip tease dancer.
one who performs feats that require an unusual sense of balance, as a tightrope walker.
the art or technique of escaping from chains, locked trunks, etc., as a form of entertainment. —escapist, n., adj.
funambulism
the art or skill of tightrope walking. —funambulist, n.
a performance involving Harlequin or other characters of the Commedia dell’Arte; hence, buffoonery or clownish behavior. Also called harlequinery.
a conjurer or magician who creates illusions, as by sleight of hand.
the art of the juggler.
skill in or practice of feats of dexterity that create a magical illusion. —legerdemainist, n.
the art or practice of copying or imitating closely, especially by a person for the purpose of entertainment. See also biology. —mimic, mimical, adj.
monology
1. the art of performing monologues.
2. Obsolete, a monologue.
1. a performance by mummers, performers wearing masks or fantastic disguises.
2. any showy but empty performance.
the art of mute acting. —pantomimist, n.
pianologue
a humorous performance at the piano, sometimes with a verbal accompaniment by the performer.
the art of legerdemain; sleight of hand. —prestidigitator, n. —prestidigitatorial, prestidigitatory, adj.
the art of making and handling puppets.
recitationist
a person who recites poetry or other literary excerpts for entertainment.
an image formed by a shadow cast upon a lighted surface, as one formed by the hands for entertainment. —shadowgraphist, n.
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