Marcel Marceau (Manzhel) - French mimic actor, creator of the unfading stage image of Beep, who became the world-famous symbol of France. In 1947, the artist organized the "Commonwealth of Mimes", which lasted until 1960. Performances of the troupe were in demand in Paris, performances were held at the best theater venues. The Theater on the Champs Elysees and the Theater of Sarah Bernhardt sold out when Marcel Marceau and his partners performed. The main character of the actor, the white-faced clown Beep, was especially fond of Parisians. The Commonwealth of Memes presented a number of performances, including David and Goliath, Death at Dawn, Overcoat, Paris Crying, Paris Laughing, Adolescence and Maturity, Old Age and Death.
Marcel Marceau: biography
The most famous mime in the world was born on March 22, 1923 in Strasbourg. Marcel was the son of a Jewish couple who moved to France from Poland after the end of World War I.
An interest in the art of reincarnation appeared in the young man when he watched films featuring Charlie Chaplin. Deciding to become a mimic actor, Marcel Marceau entered the Limoges School of Decorative Arts, then continued his studies at the Theater of Sarah Bernhardt with actor Etienne Decoux and director Charles Dullen.
When the Second World War began, Marcel and his family fled from France. Participation in the Resistance was a real test for the young actor. All his relatives, including his parents, were captured by the Nazis and died in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
In the difficult war years, the actor managed to organize a small artistic team that performed at the fronts. After the liberation of Paris in the summer of 1944, the artists gave their first large-scale concert in honor of the end of hostilities and called the performance “Three Thousand Corpses”.
"Clown with a white face ..."
As already mentioned, immediately after the war, Marcel Marceau came up with the clown Beep, who became his favorite character. A striped sweater, a battered hat, a white face with eyes down - the sad image of a loser clown made millions of people around the world cry and laugh. The role of Marcel Marceau was determined then once and for all.
In 1955-1956, Marcel Marceau made his first tour of the US states. His performances made a splash - the artist forever became a welcome guest for the American public. Touring trips became a way of life for him, he traveled to different countries and gave 300 performances a year. In 1961, the mime first visited the Soviet Union.
Several times Marcel was invited to act in films. He participated in the film project “His name was Robert”. This film was shot at the Lenfilm film studio in 1967. Then the actor starred in the sci-fi work of the Franco-Italian production of 1968. The movie was called "Barbarella." And finally he played himself in the comedy "Silent Movie" directed by Mel Brooks, which was released in 1976. Marcel Marceau, films with the participation of which did not produce much furore, was no longer shot. He took up other activities.
Two years after the release of the last movie, Marcel Marceau organized a pantomime school in Paris, which still exists today and is considered a memorial.
Awards
During his life, the clown received a lot of them. The French government awarded the artist several high awards, among which the following medals can be distinguished:
- Legion of Honor;
- Order of Merit in Literature and Art;
- National Order of Merit of the second degree.
In addition, the artist had many awards and certificates.
Famous posts
The famous mime was a member of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. He also received the honorary title of Doctor of Science at Princeton University. Marceau then joined the board of professors at a college in Ohio. He became an honorary professor at the University of Michigan. In 2002, Marcel Marceau was appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador.
One of Marceau’s reprisals, which he called Running Against the Wind, became the prototype of the famous “moonwalk” of pop king Michael Jackson. In 1996, the artist created the American Mime Support Fund.
Personal life
Marcel Marceau was married three times. From his first marriage, he has two sons - Michelle and Baptiste. The third wife gave birth to the artist two daughters: Aurelius and Camille.
Marceau died on September 23, 2007 at the age of 84. He was buried in the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris.