The show was first devised in 1992 by Russ Randelle (best known as ‘Happy the Clown’) who had, up to this time been entertaining children in every conceivable venue, from The Front Room to Wembley Stadium, for several years.
He produced his first Circus Show as a member of a local PTA. This very successful event inspired him to continue offering his services to other event organisers, leading to the establishment of Happy’s Circus.
The recipient of two prestigious international Clown Awards in recent years, Happy was chosen to be one of the clowns in the Johnny Vaughan Show: ‘Clowns Across the Pennines’ in 2003.
He also made an appearance on ‘Ready Steady Cook’ in April 2004 alongside a clown called Little Nick.
Russ has been an entertainer virtually all his life, performing in children's theatre in the early years.
Then working on his own in shopping centres, children's parties and performing street theatre.
Later he worked in Comedy Bands and Dance Troupes, also Butlins and Warner Haven Holiday Camps.
Santus and Zippos Circuses have also featured in his career.
He
has followed
in the footsteps of his father who worked advance and performed as
"Clown KI-KO & Walker The Dog" and appeared on Billy Smarts Circus in
the 1940's - 50's.
He is passionate about the survival of the Circus as family entertainment. He has been on the forefront of the campaign to ‘Save the Circus’, fighting for a better deal for circuses under the new Entertainment Licensing Law.
Russ has two children, Stephanie aged 22 and Pip aged 19
Stephanie first performed in a Stage production of "THE TRANSPORTS" while still in her mother's womb.
Then as a babe in arms in a film about Old Portsmouth.
When times where hard, she helped her father from an early age busking to make ends meet.
She would be on her Dads Back and blow on a harmonica and shake her rattle in time too the music.
In October 2006 Stephanie graduated form the Academy of Circus Arts, winning the award for best traditional circus act 2006.
She is now an international star having performed for a season on Rambo Circus in India.
Pip is working in the family business as a clown, forming a double act with his Dad as “The Randelle’s”
As a 2 year old Pip used to do funny things all the time, but he cried when people laughed. At that age he did not understand that people were not laughing at him, but the things he did.
A very young Pip would not enter the circus ring unless he was dressed as a little monkey which stole fruit that his farther “Happy” was trying to juggle with.
From there he progressed to being, a young Anakin Skywalker, a comedy hypnotist and Billybang the clown, to appearing on “Kids say the funniest things” and staring as Puck in “Midsummer nights dream”He is now multi skilled performer and musician
He was awarded a junior international clowns award in 2003
The children have been performing all their lives and are both professional and dedicated performers.
They have also been honoured with international and circus awards in recognition of their contribution to The Circus Arts as Junior and professional Performers.
Happy's Circus Show - as it was originally known - has evolved from an open-air show by the Randelle family into Happy's Circus as it is today.
Specially selected international artistes regularly perform to audiences of up to 600 under the cheerful red and yellow Big Top.
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