@ossobuco,
I once saw a guy called Mr. Fantastic do a mime called
The Conductor at Glastonbury Festival. It was really funny and he received a standing ovation. If someone is good at what they do the result is good whether it be mime or anything else. The Universal appeal of Mr. Bean shows people will pay to see good mime.
Those guys with white faces who annoy passers by on the streets are dicks though.