Alex clowns around for Elveden panto

HE began his career entertaining children in Watton before joining a travelling circus to train as a clown.

And now Alex Morley has returned to his native East Anglia to perform in Circus Mondao's pantomime production of Cinderella.

Playing the role of an ugly sister, he is part of a circus troupe that has been re-creating the classic fairy story under the big top at Elveden Estate, near Thetford.

The show, that runs until Sunday January 3, sees him tickling the crowd with a combination of classic clown routines, such as the wet and messy “slosh act”, and pantomime gags that have already left the crowd screaming: “It's behind you!”

Adding to the spectacle are death defying trapeze artists, an animal parade of llamas, camels, and zebras, and a host of jugglers and dancers.

Alex, 20, said: “Being an ugly sister for Mondao is great fun even though the comic role can be one of the hardest parts to play.”

“It's not always easy getting the audience to laugh, but I have a great rapport with the cast, especially Gareth Ellis who plays Buttons, and together we manage to get the audience involved and make it a great show.

“It's also nice to be back seeing familiar faces and I am pleased to say that a lot of them have come to Elveden to take part in the fun.”

Alex Morley first fell in love with the circus when he went to a production in Thetford when he was five years old.

This inspired him to create his own clown routines that he began performing for children at Melsop Farm Park near Watton including special shows at Halloween and Christmas.

He fulfilled his dream of becoming a clown in 2007 when joined Zippo's Circus award-winning travelling productions.

For tickets call 01842 751975 or visit www.circusmondao.co.uk