We conducted an interview with a performer named Larkie de Clown who have been clowning for 12 years. Let us share with you his stories and experiences.
1. What does it take?
It is no doubt that to succeed in something, you have to put in your effort and time and being a clown is no exception. For example, you need to go for clown festivals, clown workshops, and also clown conventions to learn the basic etiquette, body movement, facial expression and make-up techniques. Besides that, you also have to spend a lot of time to practice and train yourself like magic, unicycle, acrobatics and so on.
If you put effort into training, you will definitely make it one day,” — Larkie de Clown
2. Public Perception & Expectation
- A balloon machine
People think that clown is a machine that makes jokes and do balloon to the people. People treat the clown as a machine that produces balloon and keeps on asking for balloons for their children. They take it for granted and ask the clown to do different patterns of the balloon after taking one. For example, Larkie was scolded by a mum after he refused to give another balloon to the children.
- People always look down on this job.
Some of the people bully the clowns by pointing the middle finger, pinching their nose, and also taking off their hat. Besides that, public see clown as a lower-class job. For example, they talk to clowns in a rude way when they are asking the clown to do balloons for their children.
3. Challenges & Difficult times
- Adding messages into the performance.
It is a challenge to convey messages through the performance because not all audience can understand the meaning behind the performance if it is not able to relate to them. On top of that, adding message into the performance requires skills such as, the speed of the performance, facial expression, the use of props. All this thing needs to be considered when planning the show.
- The most difficult time.
“I’d say the year 2020 is the toughest time I’ve ever had since 2008. There will be clients postponing and cancelling my show every week.” said Larkie
The incident of the COVID-19 has made him gone a lot of hard times. He almost did not have any shows in a week. Next, he is considering finding the other income to maintain his life. He also said that clowning may be his part-time in the future.
4. Story time: Unforgettable Experience
- The little girl Joey
At the first or second year of being a clown. He met a little girl named Joey at Genting Highland Park. Joey followed him the whole day while he was working. On that day, he only walked and played around with Joey. What made this story unforgettable to him is that the girl kept holding him tight and didn’t let him go even it was already the working hours. That experience was so special to him.
- Love Story
“I was attracted by her smile”—Larkie de Clown
Larkie met the love his life during a horse show. That time his wife was a crew of the event and he was attracted by her.
5. Advise
- Get a good teachers
” If you are interested to get into this industry, first you need to find a good teacher. The right teacher will give the right information and lead you to the right way. If you have the passion, he will surely take time to train you. He will even let you know when there are shows and workshops that you can go and learn from together with him. That is really important.” says Larkie de Clown
If you are really interested to become a clown, first you really have to have the passion, be hardworking, be persistent and finally get a good teacher.
Larkie de Clown
Baby Basketball 