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Reporter Helen becomes 'Bella' as she clowns around at the circus

Running away with the circus might have crossed the minds of most people at some point in their lives, but not many actually get the chance to do it. Skegness Standard reporter Helen Bell was invited to audition for Paulo’s Americano Circus, at Chapel St Leonards, with fantastic results…


When Popol and Kakehole, the Popolinos Musical Clowns, asked me to audition for a part I jumped at the chance.

I imagined myself in a glamorous sequinned leotard somersaulting around a trapeze dazzling the audience as I swung high above their heads.

But 10 minutes later as I tried, and failed, to hoist myself onto the trapeze for the third time I realised it wasn’t to be.

Luckily they lowered it so I could get on it more easily, if less gracefully!

I was shown a few simple moves and, as I flew through the air, narrowly missing the photographer’s head, I almost felt elegant!

Next I became part of a human mountain with the Simba Boys.

As they climbed into an almost impossible formation where one man supported the weight of three others I thought there was no way I could climb on too, but with their vast strength and balance they soon had me on board.

When I finished my exertions, Popol, aka Paul Carpenter, said he had the perfect job for me…

A quick outfit change and some face paint later – Bella the Clown was born!

  • Helen, aka Bella, with her fellow clowns.
    Photo Nick Ford.
  • I would appear with Popol and Kakehole, aka Kriss Freear, in the evening show and I felt a thrill of anticipation mixed with pure fear as I restlessly waited for it to start.

    We were the opening act and I was terrified I was going to ruin it as we had not rehearsed, but it was brilliant and I left the ring with a smile wider than the one painted on my face.

    My second stint was during Popol and Kakehole’s ‘egg’ routine which the audience found hilarious.

    I loved every second and felt exhilarated as I improvised my way throughout.

    I’m grateful to the circus for this unforgettable experience, and especially to Popol and Kakehole.

    They are extremely talented professionals who made me feel like part of their team, and made me laugh both inside and out the ring.