Claque (Noun)
Meaning
A group of followers hired to applaud at a performance.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The struggling opera singer hired a claque of 20 people to ensure applause broke out after her performances.
- A theater producer was sued for organizing a claque to falsely hype his company's new play.
- Audiences are often unaware that a subtle claque can be a determining factor in a performance's overall success.
- In the mid-19th century, it was not uncommon for prominent artists to hire a claque to garner favor among the audience.
- Despite the declining practice of using claques to influence public opinion on performances, some smaller theater groups still secretly employ them today.