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clown, prop builder, but mostly on engineer. Retired only a few weeks, he has joined the circus os o full time prop builder, a job he has always wanted (Photos by Wayne)By MIKE WAYNEAll the world loves a clown . . . which may he why it is one of the world’s oldest profes-, sions.Clowning has been with man since the earliest recorded times. Along with a superior brain, an opposable thumb and the ability to stand upright, man’s sense of humor has helped raise him above nature’s other creatures. *Clowning is evident in every known culture. It provides levity from the simple to the complex. Yet it serves manypurposes.In the complicated structure of the circus show are many blank spots which need to be filled. No matter how great an a act may be it will lose its impact if the continuity of the show isbroken.To keep that continuity alive requires a special group of people we call clowns.CLOWrNS ARE more than funny people. They are artists. They spend months developingan act. Some spend years developing a character.“It takes special dedication to be a clown,” said Bill Ballantine, dean of circus clowns.Ballantine oversees all clown ing for Ringling Bros, and Barnum Bailey Circus. He is responsible for gagsters on the red and blue shows, at Circus World and any other place his clowns might perform.“A good clown loves the circus,” he added. ‘‘That person must be willing to stay with it through thick and thin. Mr. (Irvin) Feld is dedicated to this circus. Clowns are his favorites and he expects the same dedication from them.”Ballantine said a number of clowns leave the show each year. Several stay on havingfound their livHhood.“Clowns work as hard as anybody,” Ballantine assured. “In fact they often work harder.FOR IT IS the clowns that keep the audiences alive and attentive during any possibleUlllull, whether planned or otherwise.This year the clowns are at their best, Ballantine said. ‘‘Clown college has helped us gather new ideas. We help the students develop those ideas into fresh gags.”Ballantine went on to say the show had all new' clowning gags this year with many surprises.This year one seasoned clow nhas left the regular ranks of clown alley.Bobby Kaye, a circus performer for 52 years had retired . . . more or less.Kaye, like most true circus performers, can’t stay away from the three rings.The 68 year old clow n now helps create new' wardrobe designs for fellow funnymen.KAYE MAJORED in design at Syracuse University. His talents took him through years with the Clyde Beatty Circus, the Cole Bros. Circus, Hagen-back Wallace Circus and the Downev Bros. Show.During those years he also■once started with — wardrobe design Kaye finds it hard to leave the circus and although he retired as a full time clown, he enjoys working with the showworked as a designer for the Jack Benny and Red Skeltonshows.When the Hagenback Circusfolded and was bought byRingling, Kaye joined the ranksof the Greatest Show On Earth...He will now work in wardrobe design on both shows w'hile freelancing during theinterim periods.He recently completed a LillyTomlin television special in w hich she appears as a clown.“It took four days to develop her makeup,” Kaye said. “Her nose was a problem because it appeared to drop off when wlt; painted the end red?'■jrC v “After a few days we had built up the end of her nose to make it stpnd out.“She was a great person to work with. I am lookingforwrard to seeing the special when its shown,” Kaye said.“It’s been a good life,” Kayeadded. “I have never regrettedmy decision and would gladly do it again.,^tffei^ ■ ;•Kaye is one of only a few clowns now with the circus to have spent most of his life in clow ning. Their names are now legend in clown alley.groundbreakingfor JanuaryGroundbreaking for the new South Sarasota County Familyif . .'«? '~k ■■ T‘t7r:, W{YMCA will take place inmid January.Board eha irman Jeanet te Ha nr hey said the ceremony originally had been planned for the first week of the month.iA‘But we’ve decided to wait a couple of weeks because of a pending contribution,” she said.Mrs. Hanchev said she cntild“I realize the economy has been bad. But that gives us one more reason to provide for theyouth of South County,” sheadded.Mrs. Ha tic hey said consider able confusion still exists over the possible closing of the
Newspaper Details
The Gondolier
Venice, Florida, US
Mon, Dec 30, 1974
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Los A.
CA, USA 15 Nov 2022
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