Has your boss ever said you’d make a good clown? Now could be your moment as John Lawson’s Circus rolls into Telford.

Circus bosses have been left with pie on their faces after clowns, Kakehole and Popol, decided to hang up their size 30 shoes and move abroad. Ringmaster, Atilla Endresz, wants local people to audition at the end of June to take their place, possibly landing a contract to work for the circus on a full-time basis.

He said: “Good clowns are actually very hard to find. There are many circus schools both in the UK and Europe, but these mainly produce gymnasts and trapeze artistes.

“We are finding it increasingly difficult to hire clowns. Kakehole and Popol are currently in their third year with Lawson’s Circus, creating a chaotic kitchen catastrophe with exploding eggs and a runaway chicken.

Talent

“They have now decided to spread their wings and travel abroad, so the circus needs new comic talent.

“Many people have a romantic dream of running away with the circus, so now we are offering them the chance to be part of the show.”

Departing clown Popol said the auditions would be available for anyone aged 16 or over with an ability to play the fool, but warned applicants there’s more to the job than meets the eye.

He said: “Anyone can wear a red nose but that will not necessarily make them funny. You have to have a good sense of comic timing and a personality that seems natural in the ring. Both Kakehole and myself draw on our own characteristics and exaggerate them when we perform.”

The circus will set up on the Broad Oak Playing Field in Donnington, from June 28 till July 3.

Paul Carpenter, spokesman for John Lawson’s, said interested applicants should call 07860 498833 to arrange an informal interview.

He added: “It is a fun life to lead and a good established clown can pretty much set his own price. I tell you this, the biggest caravans at a circus are normally the clowns.”

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