"The clown, and what he said

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 20

"The clown, and what he said

I’ve seen many sorts of clowns in circuses — jolly ones, clever ones, lonely ones and noisy ones. But I never expected I'd actually talk to a clown, least of all in a chemist’s shop. Last week. though, that’s what happened. I was buying some cough medicine, and there stood a thin little man beside me examining the shelves. I couldn't help staring at him because he was choosing the quaintest things and putting them on the counter. There was a black curly wig, a bottle of purple liquid, and another of orange, and a huge jar of thick powdery stuff. He must have noticed my surprise for he said: “Expensive business being a clown, you know. I have to paint myself a fresh face every morning. And it takes a good hour to do, too.” I asked him about his work and he explained that he was an Acrobat Clown and that his name was Toby. “I dance on the elephants,” he said proudly. “That’s my special act. And 1 also balance on horses, juggle 20 plates, and walk blind-fold along the tightrope.” I then asked Toby if there were other clowns in his circus and he said that there were two more. One was called an August Clown and he pretended to be clumsy. He was always tripping over buckets. His clothes were much too big for him and sometimes his trousers fell down. There was also, Toby added, a Whiteface Clown, and he had a sad-looking painted face. He used to have bad luck. Chairs fell apart when he sat on them and he walked into walls. He acted, too, as if he weren’t quite right in his head and tried to sweep away shadows with his broom. I then asked Toby if he would explain a trick that had puzzled me for a long time. Sometimes at a circus, I told him, I had seen a clown try to saw another clown in half. It looked as if his saw went through the other man’s body. Then suddenly, the two halves of the body would jump up and run away in opposite directions. What was the secret? Toby smiled. “It’s quite simple,” he said. “The two halves are two dwarf clowns and they disguise

themselves in special clothing." The shop was crowded now with people listening to Toby. Then a dock chimed and he looked at his watch anxiously. “I’ve got to go,”' he gasped. "I almost forgot. It’s my day for feeding the elephants.” And he grabbed his parcels. jumped on a pair ,i»f stilts, and strode down th? street and back to rhe circus.