Russ Randelle (better known as Mr Happy) has entertained families at every conceivable venue, from front rooms to Wembley Stadium for over 30 years.
Russ has followed in the footsteps of his father who performed as Clown Ki-Ko with Walker the Dog appearing on Billy Smarts Circus in the 1940s-50s. Russ, a former Royal Marine has been an entertainer virtually all of his life. He started work in Children’s theatre, then worked in shopping centres, at children’s parties & performing street theatre.
He appeared in episodes of ‘Ruth Rendell’, ‘Casualty’ & ‘The Trainer’ (staring David McCallum& Susannah York). He has also worked in comedy bands, dance troupes, at Butlins & Warner Haven Holiday Camps and for Santus & Zippos Circuses.
The recipient of two prestigious International Clown Awards, Happy was chosen to be one of the clowns in the Johnny Vaughan Show: ‘Clowns Across the Pennines’ which launched BBC3 in 2003. He has also appeared with Ainsly Harriott on ‘Celebrity Ready Steady Cook’. Radio Berkshire has travelled with Happy’s Circus & transmitted live broadcasts behind the scenes & during the show.
When schools close for the summer holidays, Happy’s Circus has performed at numerous summer venues including Brean in Somerset, Charmouth & West Bay in Dorset, Burley in the New Forest & on Bournemouth Pier amongst many other theatres across the UK.
This in turn has led to performances as Dame in several pantomimes across the UK. But nothing has surpassed Russ’s proudest memory when he was invited to the Queen’s Garden Party in 2012 at Buckingham Palace. Russ is a member of Equity, the Association of Independent Showman & the European Circus Association. He is honoured to have served for five years as the treasurer of the ACP (Association of Circus Proprietors).
Russ has two children, Stephanie and Pip Randelle.
Stephanie Randelle first performed in a Stage production of “The Transports” whilst still in her mother’s womb, & then as a babe in arms in a film featuring Old Portsmouth.
When family times were hard Stephanie at an early age, helped her father who had to busk to make ends meet. She would be carried on her father’s back whilst blowing a harmonica & shaking her rattle in time to the music.
She was honoured with an award in 2001 in recognition of her contribution as a professional junior Circus artist.
In October 2006 Stephanie graduated from the Academy of Circus Arts, winning the award for best traditional Circus act 2006. She immediately embarked on a 6-month tour with Circus Rambo across Ind
After working summers on the family show, she spent her winters performing on Christmas Circuses & touring theatres. She starred for three years as “one of the “Sinister Sisters” in the cult show, The Circus of Horrors.
April 2016 Stephanie retired from performing and became a member of the Happy’s Circus Fundraising team. In 2018 Stephanie decided to retire from Circus life to become a mum and dental receptionist.
As a 2-year-old Pip Randelle 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.
As a young performer, Pip would not enter the Circus ring unless he was disguised as a little monkey who stole the fruit which his father “Happy” was trying to juggle. He progressed to performing as Billybang the clown, a young Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars & a comedy hypnotist, amongst many other characters. He has appeared on TV in “Kids say the funniest things” & starred as Puck in “A Midsummer night’s dream”
He was honoured with an award in 2001 in recognition of his contribution as a professional junior Circus artist & he also won the Junior International Clowns Award for 2003
Pip has evolved into a multi-skilled accomplished performer & musician whose repertoire extends to comedic pantomime roles & guest appearances on other Circuses. Pip became Artistic & Technical Director @ Happy’s Circus. He has also contributed to both writing, directing & performing at the Easter and Halloween shows at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth.
In 2013 & 2014 Pip starred at the Hippodrome Circus Christmas Spectacular alongside Jack Jay, undertaking the role of lead comic to rave reviews. In 2015 Pip featured as one of two principle clowns at Zippos’ Winter Wonderland Circus at Hyde Park, London. In 2017 Pip produced and directed a Christmas Production for Lawson’s Circus.
After a successful 2018 season, Pip decided to gain more experience touring with other Circuses. He has now expanded into writing and performing in other areas of the entertainment industry. Pip is well on his way to international success…
Happy’s Circus Show – as it was originally known – has evolved from an open-air show into Happy’s Circus as it is today.
From this…
To this…
Pat is married to Mr Happy and began her career in Circus in 2012. She joined Happy’s Circus full-time in April 2016 as Show Manager, taking on additional operational responsibility for many aspects of the company including developing new office software, training a new office team, logistics, co-ordinating the acquisition of foreign artists, marketing and creating a Corporate dimension for the business. Pat began working with festivals, councils, scout events, garden centres, holiday parks, Christmas engagements and charities.
Pat remains passionate about the future of Circus in the UK and the world. She is a firm supporter of the fight to recognise the culture of Circus in the UK as part of UNESCO. UNESCO has to date only recognised three European countries (Hungary, Finland and the Netherlands), where Circus is perceived as being an important part of their culture. It is going to be a long battle which is disappointing since Circus as the world knows it today, originated in the UK.
She is now semi-retired, living with Mr Happy in rural Dorset and remains on hand, ready to share her diverse knowledge and experience when the need arises.
