Seriously, it's no laughing matter.
Clowns are in short supply at the moment, at least in the north of Ireland.
The reason? Why, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, of course.
David Duffy, co-owner of family-run circus Duffy's Circus, is ready to reopen the big top after over 500 days of closure. There's just one problem – a severe lack of clowns.
Following the launch of a major recruitment drive last week, Duffy has once again called for clowns to come out of the woodwork for the good of his business.
In conversation on Tuesday morning's edition of BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, Duffy underlined that for once, a certain conscious uncoupling isn't to blame.
"This is one we can't actually blame on Brexit," Duffy began.
"We can blame it on the Covid crisis. Because we have been closed now for over 500 days, all our artists, all our team that we had in place with us at the start of our 2020 season all obviously had to return to their home countries when we entered lockdown.
"Now, because all of the circuses in Europe and in England have been up and operational for the last six months, well then that huge pool of EU artists are now already back at work. Up to the last week, we haven't been able to even get visas issued for non-EU artists and entertainers."
Duffy noted that his company is trying to reach out to "folks at home that are willing to give it a go", so if you fancy a greasepaint-covered career change, dear reader, now might be the time.
As for the character traits and skills that Duffy is looking for, specifically?
"We're looking at people that have a bright, bubbly personality," he told Good Morning Ulster.
"Obviously, when you go into the circus ring and you've got seven or eight hundred people looking at you – no matter what sort of mood you're in you have to light up that circus ring. A clown, actually, can be the loneliest place because you're in there on your own and you have to be able to read your audience.
"In a short couple of minutes, you have to be able to get a rapport going with them and interact and feed off them, so you have to be really, really adaptable. You have to be able to think on your feet."
Feet covered in giant shoes, we presume.
All together now...
Clip via agrajah
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