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]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 :
claque
n : a group of followers hired to applaud at a performance