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THAT'S MY BOY; Youngest clown in Britain follows in dad's footsteps.


Byline: TONY LARNER

CLOWNING around runs in the family for Daniel Antony.

Because the eight-year-old has followed in his father's floppy-shoed footsteps - to become the youngest clown clown, a comic character usually distinguished by garish makeup and costume whose antics are both humorously clumsy and acrobatic. The clown employs a broad, physical style of humor that is wordless or not as self-consciously verbal as the traditional fool or jester.  in Britain.

Dad Ronnie, 35, has been entertaining kids as juggling joker Will E Droppit for the past five years.

Now Daniel, alias Dandi the clown, has joined the family funny business to launch a slapstick slapstick

Comedy characterized by broad humour, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action. It took its name from a paddlelike device, probably introduced by 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes, that produced a resounding whack when one comic actor used it to
 double act.

And the red-nose youngster has already landed his first TV booking - on Songs of Praise.

Ronnie, of Bilston, Wolverhampton, who also has a daughter Sarah, 10, with wife Tracy, said: 'Daniel is a natural joker who loves being a clown.

'When I created Will E Droppit, he used to come to shows and laugh as loud as the other kids.

'But last summer, just after his eighth birthday, he said he wanted to be a clown. After talking it through with his mum we agreed he could - as long as it didn't interfere with school.

'There are a few child clowns

Main article: Clown
Circus-style
Famous
[1][2]
  • Achille Zavatta (1915 - 1993).
  • Batatinha (literally Little Potato), from Portugal. A very well-known clown.
 in Britain but I have not heard of anyone younger than Daniel.

'Will E and Dandi have performed at a couple of weekend shows together and the kids love them.

'We are a more traditional slapstick double act - which means we can sometimes get a bit messy mess·y  
adj. mess·i·er, mess·i·est
1. Disorderly and dirty: a messy bedroom.

2. Exhibiting or demonstrating carelessness: messy reasoning.
 and wet.'

Now the father and son are preparing for a surprise TV booking on BBC's Songs of Praise.

Ronnie said: 'The show is being broadcast on April Fool's Day April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day, holiday of uncertain origin, known for practical joking and celebrated on the first of April. Prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1564, the date was observed as New Year's Day by cultures as  so it is being recorded at Clowns Church, north London North London is a part of London, England which has several possible definitions. River & geography
The part of London north of the River Thames (illustrated).
, this week. Hundreds of clowns are taking part but Daniel may get a special mention because of his age.

'Daniel loves clowning but we would never force him to carry on if he ever gets bored.

'But we don't think he will as he wants to become a member of Clowns International, the main registration group for clowns, by his ninth birthday.'

Daniel said: 'I really enjoy being a clown because it is great fun - especially working with my dad.

'And I can already juggle with scarves scarves  
n.
A plural of scarf1.


scarves
Noun

a plural of scarf1
 which my friends think is really great.'

Bluey Blue´y

a. 1. Bluish.
n. 1. A bushman's blanket; - named from its color.
We had to wring our blueys.
- Lawson.

2.
, a spokesman for Clowns International, said: 'Our junior clowns are up to 16 years of age.

'There are quite a few young clowns around - but I can't think of anyone younger than Daniel.'

CAPTION(S):

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON... Daniel and his dad clown Will E Droppit
COPYRIGHT 2001 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2001 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

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Publication:Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England)
Date:Feb 4, 2001
Words:395
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