Clown crisis grips Ireland

We have had all sorts of shortages these past few months – toilet rolls, hand sanitiser, food and now fuel – but one tale of woe reaches Sorted from Northern Ireland that surely tops everything!
For it appears circus owners have been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic, and the latest crisis is presenting the big top with a very specific difficulty it is finding hard to solve.

At the heart of the current problem is an acute lack of clowns. Yes, you read that right! It appears there has been a mass exodus of artists willing to don red noses, large floppy shoes and drive cars that fall to bits.

Circuses have been closed in Northern Ireland for more than 500 days, which has forced many performers to travel to other places which have opened their big tops more quickly.

Now David Duffy, co-owner of Duffy's Circus, is appealing for people to come forward and train in the noble art of clownery.

The qualities needed for any budding enthusiast to be taken seriously aren't that ma...