| A TWICE WEEKLY SERIAL OF BIG TOP FOLK BY
SIMON PARKE |
|
EPISODE 1
WHEN THE CLOWNING STOPS
As the crowd filters out of Burt Turtle's Big Top, Jess the clown is asked what was the most frightening part of the evening performance.
"Well, the stunt when I'm repeatedly felled by the swinging plank can have its moments," he says. "It's well rehearsed, but much can still go wrong."
"So that's when you're most fearful?"
"Oh, no – not at all!"
"So was it the unicycle chase? The leap from the elephant? Or the 'custard in the bucket' stunt?"
"No."
"So when??"
"Well, it may sound stupid, but I'm most fearful when I get back to my dressing room, and take off my colourful coat and big clown's shoes."
"Really? But why should that be frightening? The show's over!"
"Exactly. And I must then take off my wig, remove my make-up, and as I look in the mirror, ask myself the same old question: 'When the clowning stops, who on earth are you?'"
More clowning around |
