A coffee break with... Bippo!

-
In honour of Clown Week (commencing 1st - 7th August) it only seemed right that this week's Q&A should be with someone who isn't shy of using a little bit of lipstick now and then and has a soft spot for red shiny shoes. We are pleased to introduce you to Bippo the clown!


1. Full name 

Gareth James Ellis a.k.a Bippo

2. Home town/city/country

Manchester

3. What previous shows have you been in?

Zippo's circus, John Lawson's circus, Gerry Cottle’s circus, the Hippodrome Great Yarmouth, and the Sooty show

4. If you could choose another circus act to perform what would it be?

A juggler



5. Do you have a routine or ritual before the show?

Not many people know this but I put my shoes and socks on before my clown trousers. Also the left shoe first. I also use the same powder sock for my makeup that I used when I first started for good luck

6. If you were not a circus performer what job would you do?

Stand up comic. Or the person who puts goldfish farts in spirit levels

7. How would you describe the show to someone who has never seen it?

It’s not your average circus. It has aspects of theatre such as grand production numbers and costuming. Also with me and Joel we get the audience involved so you're not just watching the show, you're part of it. It makes it more of an immersive experience

Ringmaster Joel Hatton and clown Bippo are double trouble!

8. How did you join the circus?

I went to watch a circus when I was just four years old and fell in love. My parents decided to go along with my obsession and bought me clown costume and makeup. I started performing in school assemblies and fetes, also working for Pontins and joining the re-launch show at Butlin's in 1998. 

When I was at the tender age of nine my father was made redundant and my mother bored with her job so my parents decided to move from their four bedroom house in Manchester into a tiny caravan to start me off on my circus career.  I haven’t looked back since and this is my 21st year.

9. Favourite song?

In Love With a Psycho by Kasabian

10. Favourite sandwich?

Tuna mayo

11. Favourite movie?

Get Him to the Greek

12. Who is your celebrity crush?

Donald Trump



13. Favourite clothes designer?

Primarni!

14. If you had the TV remote control what would you watch?

Anything comedy! Not the news

15. Do you believe we really did land on the moon 50 years ago?

Nope, it was all filmed in Las Vegas

16. Favourite place in the world to live?

Somerset, my own little paradise

Bippo is currently appearing at Butlin's Minehead for the summer, until 1 September 2019. For more details visit the Butlin's Big Top Circus page. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for your feedback!

Popular posts from this blog

A brief history of clowns to celebrate Andreea's birthday!

-
Image
Hip hip hooray! It’s our crazy clown Andreea’s birthday! The lovable Andreea has been appearing in shows with Gandeys Circus for nearly a decade. Now Andreea is actually French – so perhaps we should say ‘bon anniversaire’! We’re proud to have Andreea as part of our current team in the big top at Butlin’s Skegness . While our other clowns – currently performing at Butlin’s Bognor Regis and Minehead – Bippo and Chico Rico are more traditional, Andreea opts to show off her sense of style with an offbeat modern look. We think her pink tutu / Converse / blazer combo is pretty iconic… especially paired with her blasting boombox! (she’s never been shy of making an entrance). Andreea likes interrupting the action with her silly routines. And you know something else… she is the UK’s only female clown! So you could say she’s a bit of an innovator when it comes to clowning around. With that in mind, let’s look at how much clowns have changed ov
Read more

When The Lady Boys of Bangkok Met.... Geordie Shore!

-
Image
Fans of the hit TV show Geordie Shore will be pleased to see the return of their favourite stars of the North tonight, for yet another series! It's the 5th time on the small screen for the 'toon army'  this time showcasing fun and frolics on their stag and hen adventures. Travelling across Europe to the best of the continents Stag and Hen destinations.... From Amsterdam to Tignes, the series follows the stars along the way! It's guaranteed to have you laughing, cringing and possibly having a little bit of a cry throughout. Enough of the new series though, remember that time when the stars of Geordie Shore met our Lady Boys of Bangkok . ....? Cheeky  James Tindale  didn't seem to know what to do with himself when the beautiful Lady Boys of Bangkok rolled in to town!  Well, until the Lady Boys took to the stage and of course, then  James wasn't one to let other's take the limelight..... Switswoo we say! If you missed the Lady Boys of Bangkok
Read more

Origins of the Chinese Circus

-
Image
200 BC – 200 AD – Han Dynasty, Sichuan Province – Juggler with balls and knives – Carving, stone of the “Hundred Games.” [source: Chinese Acrobatics Through The Ages, p15] The origins of the Chinese circus are not entirely crystal clear. There are debates and differing opinions when it comes to the exact history behind the circus, which is not a surprise when you take into account how long it has been around! First records of the Chinese circus - including carvings and mural paintings - date back more than 2,000 years to the Warring States period (475–221 BC), with evidence of performances developing further during the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC - 230 AD). Although it is believed that the art may have actually started around 3,000 years ago! One theory is that the acts originated in imperial courts, with performers entertaining the houses in a manner similar to western court jesters. However, it is more likely that the circus was a folk art that was later adopted by
Read more