claque

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

claque
    n 1: a group of followers hired to applaud at a performance

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Claque \Claque\, n. [F.]
   1. A collection of persons employed to applaud at a
      theatrical exhibition.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. a group of sycophantic followers.
      [PJC]