To get a laugh

Local clowns proud of their profession

by Amy Tse

“Whenever people talk about clowns, they normally think of the poor prospects of this career,” said Miss Wong Yuet Ngor, 19, who has worked as a full-time clown at Ocean Park for nearly two years.

“The prospects for clowns in other countries are much better than those in Hong Kong. This is because circuses are more common overseas. Foreigners have a better understanding about clowns,” said she.

Despite the low status of clowns in Hong Kong, clowns generally agree that their careers as clowns have turned over a new leaf in their lives, making them more mature, brave, cheerful, active and keen on communication.

Said Mr. So Chun Chau, a 35-year-old clown:“The local trend is changing. People are starting to perceive clowns as artists rather than people who simply make a fool of themselves.”

Miss Chan Chau Hung, 21, is another clown. “More people have invited clowns as performers on different occasions like birthday parties, fetes and carnivals. They are more familiar with clowns now,” she said.

To enter this career, one should be at least a Form 5 graduate and have a good command of English and an optimistic personality.

“Every summer, Ocean Park organizes a training course on the profession. The instructors are all foreigners. They teach us how to do tricks, tell jokes and do makeup,” said Miss Wong.

“The course is free of charge. Students with good performance will be hired by Ocean Park as full-time clowns,” said Miss Chan.

Mr. So Chun Chau is a professional clown with 7 years’ experience. He said, “There are very few comprehensive training courses for clowns elsewhere in Hong Kong, although some foreign circuses on tour may organize short-term programs when they come to Hong Kong.”

According to the styles of makeup and performance, clowns can be classified into three types — the “whiteface”, the “character”, and the “auguste”.

Explained Mr. So: “‘Whitefaces’ are those who put a strong white base of makeup on their faces. They act bossy and brilliant. They are always the leaders of other clowns during a performance. Ronald McDonald is an example.

“‘Augustes’ act in a foolish and silly manner. They are the assistants of the ‘white faces’, but are good at amusing people with different kinds of tricks and gags. Besides, they wear the most colourful facial makeup.

“Charlie Chaplin was a ‘character’ clown. You can easily identify them by their typical personalities. They are more like a humans than the other two kinds,” said he.

While applying a lot of makeup on their faces, clowns need to beware of many taboos.

Said Miss Chan: “We never put any greenish cosmetics on our faces because they produce horrible effects and may frighten the audience.

“Furthermore, it is suggested that we should not put lipstick on the upper lip. When you speak, it is usually the lower jaw that moves more. Therefore, applying lipstick on the lower lip is enough,” added Miss Chan.

Audience are attracted not only by the funny faces of clowns, but also their many witty tricks.

“The ideas for our tricks come from our daily lives. Every day there are many trivial but humorous things happening around us. Paying extra attention to them aids our creations,” said Mr. Wong Chi Wai, a 25-year-old full-time clown at Ocean Park.

Clowns always need to wear a smiling face to entertain the audience. But being human, they may experience emotional upsets as well.

“Once I dress in my costume and don the makeup, I have a strong sense of being a clown. I then forget all my troubles and get involved in my job,” said Miss Chan.

“Our duty is to bring happiness to others. We have to develop a professional spirit and avoid being disturbed by our emotional feelings in our work,” added Mr. So.

“I enjoy being a clown,” said Mr. Lai Wing Ki, 18, who has been a clown for only several months. “It’s special. Few people learn our skills, like juggling with many balls and doing magic. I’m not thinking of giving it up.”

February 1996