Pair are clowning around in Bacup

1:16pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

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ONE of the last remaining travelling clown shows is coming to East Lancashire.

Experienced clowns, Abbey (John Marriott) from Lincolnshire and Charlie Cheesecake (Peter Rowell) from Stourbridge from the National Clown Theatre are holding a one-off show.

The duo are one of two surviving travelling clown shows in the country.

The tartan-clad pair complete with red noses and 65 years of combined experience, will host a fun-filled extravaganza at Bacup Leisure Hall using slapstick comedy to entertain children during the summer holidays.

Abbey, along with his side-kick Teabags, will be playing instruments and inviting children to take part in a choir.

Peter, 45, said: “When I left school I told my mum I wanted to be a clown and she said ‘Don’t do that everyone will laugh at you!’ But I’ve been doing it ever since.”

John, 56, has been clowning around for 40 years and said it ran in the family.

"We’re full time laughter-makers — we’ve never done anything else”

Their show is at 1.30pm on July 24. Call 01384 423496.