Interview With A Clown

How did you get into the clown industry?
Well I was always the class clown at school and in the holidays a family friend said that she had the perfect summer job for me. I later found out it was working that the local carnival as their clown. They taught me the basics of what i needed to do and it pretty much just felt right from that moment on.

How did you get your clown name?
Well where I was working that summer they had a tradition where at the end of the summer they would dub you with a name, it was a huge honer really. They named me 'Hobo Joe' because "Peppy Pete' because I was always happy and they never saw me frown.

Did you think you would be doing it this long?
Oh yes, I knew that summer that all I wanted to do was light up little kids faces, that moment where you see the light in their eyes, it melts my heart every time.

How do people react when you tell them your a clown?
Most people are purely jealous, ha I mostly work festivals and carnivals that come into town and occasionally travel around to different cities, i'm living the dream really.

What is your makeup routine to become 'Peppy Pete'?
Well I start off with the classic 'White Face' then i emphasise my eyebrows to make me constantly surprised, then I get lipstick, but I don't put it on my face, ha no I rub it onto my cheeks to create a
blushed effect. I use lipstick because it stays longer, blush falls away too quickly and if your sanding in the heat for long hours you tend to sweat and lipstick is the most effective way to maintain your look.

Well thank you Peppy Pete for allowing me to interview you. 

Unique Circus Images.

 Here are some rare images that have been taken of unique acts through the 1800's.

Lady and the Serpent  

Russian Contortionist 

Lion Tamer 

Hippopotamus Trainer

Lion Trainer 

Clown with Hippopotamus Trainer

Knife Thrower with Assistant 

Knife Juggler 

Unicycle Rider. 

These images are treasured in the circus world as they reflect the life and atmosphere of what once was the age of a life time. Before WHS (Workplace Health & Safety) was brought into the picture, acts would perform amazing death defying tricks that would aww an audience to silence, this makes it harder for performers these days to impress the audiance to the standards that where set by the 1800's acts. 

DareDevil Circus

DareDevil Circus perform death defying stunts and tricks all over the world, they are based in Michigan, USA. Their performances contain fire twirlers, areal apparatus routines and more. These type of promotional videos are the best way in order for companies to promote their show.

Not only do they perform all over the world, they teach their tricks to anyone who is willing to pay. Through these two videos you can see the difference between the beginners and the professionals only those who are starting out have a lot to strive for.

The more videos you watch the more you will understand the way in which you need to move your body in order to achieve the tricks, and the more you will want to practice. 

Circus tricks are not just about doing, its about watching and perfecting the techniques in order to perform them with elegance and grace. Making the tricks look natural and organic is one of the hardest tricks to learn. 

Warehouse Circus

Never fear those who live in Canberra, there is a circus school local to you too. Warehouse Circus is similar to Arealize, they run classes for all ages and skill levels. 

Dont be shy to call up even if you just have some inquiries, everyone who walks away from the classes states that they feel fitter and more enriched. 
'Warehouse Circus is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the mental and physical health of young people through the medium of social circus.
Warehouse Circus has been providing social circus classes in Canberra since 1990. We have a host of programs including core circus programs for beginner, intermediate and advanced performers, adult classes, school holiday programs, and workshops and performances for community festivals and other events.
We foster a co-operative environment rather than a competitive one, and aim to give everyone an opportunity to learn fun skills they can show off with. You will be amazed at what you can learn!' - Warehouse Circus. 

If you wish to contact Warehouse Circus click here. 

Circus Street Performers

Street performances such as "The Secret Circus" perform on a public platform to entertain large audiences in areas such as farmers markets and festivals. Most street performances follow themes, for example, this duo combines both circus acts and Mission Impossible music to create a interesting environment and engulfs the audience's attention. Circus performers must have something that sets them apart from all over street performers, for example, their style or particular trick.

Street performers don't always have such big audiences or crowd. Some work on a smaller scales such as: card illusionists, mimes, ventriloquists, jugglers and contortionists. 

Small scale acts, such as card illusionists and ventriloquists, rely on the audience to be engulfed by the trick.

How To Juggle 3 Balls For Beginners

This is a step to step video helping you beginners with the art of juggling. There are different styles of juggling that have developed over the years. Such as knife juggling, normal juggling, comic juggling and many more.