Clown flea circus

This shiny and intricate little flea circus was made for master story tellers Donna and Carol.
(Mimo the clown).
It shows how the basic outdoor theme can be modified to fit the performer.


Found on this website

Fabulous find - Coco photos

More on: Eggs with Clowns on their Faces

Here's a site dedicated to clowns that has more information on the recording of clowns' individual masks. Great photo of the egg artist at work.

Check it out at:

THE CLOWNS CLUB

Nicolai Poliakoff: more history of Coco the Clown.

His grandson, David Palakovs recently contacted me after finding my clown blog where I had posted my 40 year old drawing and information about his grandfather. David's father Michael changed his name when he went to America in the 1950's. Michael created the clown Ronald McDonald using the Coco moniker. Michael's 'Coco the Clown' was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 1991.
Many thanks to David for alerting me to the name change. I have been able to research the history of his family.
Nicolai Poliakoff was born to a Jewish family in Latvi 1900 and died on 25th September 1974. His wife Valantina was buried next to him in 1983 at Wood Newton Parish Church, England. Coco the Clown, (technically an Auguste) always on the receiving end of buckets of water and custard pies. His boot size is 58! The trick hair with hinges in the centre parting lifts when Coco is suprised.
Coco was in one of the first Richard Tauber talking pictures, "Never trust a woman". Coco went to England in 1929 working in the Bertram Mills Circus.
In the Second World War, Poliakoff entertained troops as a member of ENSA. In 1960 he was involved in a serious road accident. He subsequently devoted himself in the promotion of road safety awareness in children. He received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for his work. This was a unique award for a Russian Clown.
His daughter Tamara was the founder, with her husband Ali Hassani, the first Circus in the United Kingdom not to use animals.
Coco Variety - Circus:
1. Conjuring tricks by Coco
2. Victor the boneless wonder in amazing contortions.
3. Speciality Act by Coco and daughter Helen.
He worked in a Lithuanian circus, the Berlin Circus Busch which was the largest circus in Germany. He appeared in the movie 'Katterina Knie'
Died in Petersborough Hospital after a short illness.

Irene makes herself up Kabuki style

COCO

Here's a drawing I made of of the famous clown, COCO, created by Nicolai Poliakoff, when I lived in London in the sixties.


Here's some photos.

Some famous clowns of the sixties

Here are some drawings of clowns I made a long time ago.



In the 1960's Rose Hanlon was America's only woman clown. Her makeup is identical with that of her male colleagues. When she is in action in the arena it is quite impossible to differentiate her for from the conventional male species of clown.









Felix Adler.
A close competitor of Emmett Kelly for the title of King of the American clowns. Adler started with Ringling's in 1910 and was a great popular favorite.

















Emmett Kelly
To millions of American boys and girls from 7-70, he is known as old sad face. The celebrated Emmett Kelly was with the Ringling Circus for over twenty years. He was probably the most highly paid clown in the world since Crock in his heyday.













Lou Jacobs
This clown specializes in comic entrances. His best known entrance is to come shooting into the ring in a minute motor car. He uses this form of entrance rather in the same manner as a band leader uses a signature tune.











Johnny Tripp
This clown's speciality is in miming. He is often to be seen impersonating the part of a woman of formidable proportions. He was a popular favorite for many years.















Ernie Burch
Dressed for the sawdust ring. Clown and master of burlesque he specializes in caricatures, all of which bear the stamp of his own very individual genius.








Paul Jerome
The man with only one makeup. He is always dressed as a vagabond. In moments of elation his nose lights up.
















Potts
His real name is Herbert Rhamys. He designed his own costumes and writes his own script for his miming.