BRING ON THE CLOWNS

The earliest recorded and named clown was Selin, a Greek busker who entertained the crowds waiting to enter the theatre in Ancient Athens. Selin may also have invented makeup and costume. He smeared his face with white clay from a jar and wore an early version of pantalons.

Over the centuries many clowns and court jesters enjoyed fame entertaining Royal courts and fair day gatherings. But it was in the Middle Ages, with the advent of travelling shows, that the conventions of clowning as we know it today, began to evolve.

I have always been fascinated by clowns. To me, the act of making people laugh is the pinnacle of entertainment. People come out to enjoy themselves and there can be no greater pleasure for a performer than making them roll around in their seats.

But some of the greatest clowns who ever lived did not actually perform in traditional clown guise, although they could have.

I once had the privelege of meeting the great English radio and cinema clown Norman Wisdom at Harringay Arena in London.

Norman made a guest appearance at the show, and turned his spot into a masterpiece of the clown's art, improvising a turn in the empty lions' cage in the ring. Armed with a whip and a chair and several imaginary lions, he managed to reduce the audience to tears of laughter.

After the show, my father took me to meet him, where he proved what a great man he was by taking time out to chat with a starstruck little fan, even though he was being rushed to another engagement.

It was probably this pivotal performance, created out of nothing, that set me on the road to becoming a clown.

Another great English clown who did not find it strange that a little girl wanted to follow in his footsteps was Cahrlie Carroli, who performed with Blackpool Tower Circus.

He gave me valuable insight into the art of clowning, of creating a clown persona and sensing the humor mood of an audience.

Such generosity was typical of these great clowns.

I never did join their ranks, although many years later another clown taught me his act so I could fulfil my dream of becoming a clown.

I will never forget the first time I made an audience laugh. I was smiling for weeks.

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