What Is the Rag Doll Act?

The Contortion Home Page defines the Rag Doll Act as a "circus act in which a contortionist, dressed in a loose-fitting clown costume, gives the appearance of being a limp, life-sized doll, as one or two assistants bend, roll, carry and pose the 'doll' and then stuff him/her into a small box."

Inspiration

The act takes its name from the ever-popular cloth toy dolls such as Raggedy Ann.

Human Doll

A contortionist dressed as a rag doll plays through the entire act as if she were a lifeless toy, giving no resistance to any bodily manipulations. The performer needs great flexibility, especially in the arms and legs.

Assistants

Assistants manipulate the human doll to convince the audience that he cannot possibly be a person. They often serve as comic relief.

Box Stunt

The assistants fold the human doll's limp body and contort her arms and legs to fit into a small, often transparent box.

Other Stunts

Human rag dolls typically perform tumbles, receive arm and leg twists, and allow the assistants to carry their dead weight to solidify the illusion of lifelessness.

References

• Contortion Home Page: Bendy Glossary