Four times a day at the Sea Lion and Otter stadium in SeaWorld Orlando there are performances of Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island. This is arguably the best show in the park and primarily features some wonderful interaction between the cast members and two sea lions, not to mention a cameo role for a huge walrus at the end.
However, the action starts around ten minutes before the scheduled show time when the mime artist appears to entertain the audience.
I’ll try and set the scene.
The stadium is rapidly filling up and the crowds are streaming in at ground level from two entrances at either end of the stage. Out steps the mime artist from the stern of the pirate ship. He is dressed in black pantaloons, a black and white hooped T shirt, white gloves and a red bandana. His face is painted white, with red lipstick and black mascara around the eyes.
What happens next is amazingly funny and we will attempt to describe just a small part of his hilarious routine below. Please remember this is one hundred per cent mime with all actions being made by hand gestures and facial expression.
He will, for example, beckon a family into the stadium pointing at his watch suggesting that they are late. Putting his hand to his forehead he will scan the stadium for seats and then summon the unsuspecting guests to follow him. They are marched from one side of the arena to the other and then directed to the exit. The mime artist then turns to the audience and shrugs his shoulders.
Another favourite is picking on a husband and wife couple. It’s amazing how often the husband marches off in front leaving the wife trailing behind with all the bags. The mime artist will stop the wife and gesture, as if to ask, that she and the man in front are together. When the lady nods her head he will grab her bags, purposefully walk over to the husband and tap him on the shoulder. When he turns round the bags are thrust in his midriff and the audience responds in shrieks of laughter. The mime artist walks away with a wry smile on his face and dusts his hands in a vertical up and down motion to signify a job well done.
We could go on, but don’t wish to spoil the fun for future guests by revealing the rest of his act. All we would say is, if you are in SeaWorld whatever else you may have planned do not miss this.
By the way, he is not averse to mimicking the demeanour of guests as they enter the stadium so beware you might just be his next victim.
However, the action starts around ten minutes before the scheduled show time when the mime artist appears to entertain the audience.
I’ll try and set the scene.
The stadium is rapidly filling up and the crowds are streaming in at ground level from two entrances at either end of the stage. Out steps the mime artist from the stern of the pirate ship. He is dressed in black pantaloons, a black and white hooped T shirt, white gloves and a red bandana. His face is painted white, with red lipstick and black mascara around the eyes.
What happens next is amazingly funny and we will attempt to describe just a small part of his hilarious routine below. Please remember this is one hundred per cent mime with all actions being made by hand gestures and facial expression.
He will, for example, beckon a family into the stadium pointing at his watch suggesting that they are late. Putting his hand to his forehead he will scan the stadium for seats and then summon the unsuspecting guests to follow him. They are marched from one side of the arena to the other and then directed to the exit. The mime artist then turns to the audience and shrugs his shoulders.
Another favourite is picking on a husband and wife couple. It’s amazing how often the husband marches off in front leaving the wife trailing behind with all the bags. The mime artist will stop the wife and gesture, as if to ask, that she and the man in front are together. When the lady nods her head he will grab her bags, purposefully walk over to the husband and tap him on the shoulder. When he turns round the bags are thrust in his midriff and the audience responds in shrieks of laughter. The mime artist walks away with a wry smile on his face and dusts his hands in a vertical up and down motion to signify a job well done.
We could go on, but don’t wish to spoil the fun for future guests by revealing the rest of his act. All we would say is, if you are in SeaWorld whatever else you may have planned do not miss this.
By the way, he is not averse to mimicking the demeanour of guests as they enter the stadium so beware you might just be his next victim.