Guppo the Clown: Still Going Strong With Wenatchee Youth Circus;
First Show Tonight at Edmonds Civic Center Playfield
Guppo, otherwise known as Paul Pugh, formed his circus almost 60 years ago. The traveling group of youngsters is performing three shows in Edmonds.
Paul Pugh, who started the Wenatchee Youth Circus in 1952, transforms into Guppo the clown for the show.Credit Brian Soergel
By Brian Soergel July 12, 2011
Edmunds, WA--There’s a word that describes those who are afraid of clowns: Coulrophobia.
Hopefully there won’t find many coulrophobiacs today and tomorrow at the Edmonds Civic Center Playfield, where Guppo the clown is likely to be the kindest one you’ll ever meet.
Guppo is Paul Pugh, who founded the Wenatchee Youth Circus in 1952, a traveling troupe of kids ages 5 to 19 who return to Edmonds each year as part of their summer tour of Washington.
On Tuesday morning, Pugh directed kids and circus workers from his wheelchair. He’s a bit hobbled these days, which is understandable after almost 60 years in the circus. But Pugh, whose handlers and makeup artists transform into Guppo before each show, is still able to get out of his chair and spread the circus’ joy with a face that was born to be a clown.
Hopefully there won’t find many coulrophobiacs today and tomorrow at the Edmonds Civic Center Playfield, where Guppo the clown is likely to be the kindest one you’ll ever meet.
Guppo is Paul Pugh, who founded the Wenatchee Youth Circus in 1952, a traveling troupe of kids ages 5 to 19 who return to Edmonds each year as part of their summer tour of Washington.
On Tuesday morning, Pugh directed kids and circus workers from his wheelchair. He’s a bit hobbled these days, which is understandable after almost 60 years in the circus. But Pugh, whose handlers and makeup artists transform into Guppo before each show, is still able to get out of his chair and spread the circus’ joy with a face that was born to be a clown.
Pugh started his unique circus in Wenatchee as an afterschool tumbling team. “It developed and grew like topsy,” said Pugh, who was a junior high school principal. “I get help now from several young assistants who grew up in the circus. ‘Circus’ means ‘circle,’ which is never-ending.”Pugh’s circus doesn’t have a flashy light show. No near-naked girls. “We are a family friendly, old-fashioned circus,” he said. “We don’t tell a story.”
The latter comment was an indirect jab at Cirque du Soleil, which Pugh admires but feels initially strayed too far from the circus concept. “They confused a lot of circus people,” he said. “But I think they’re getting it together now with what they’re doing and audiences like it. Still, it’s not really a family friendly show. Their prices are too high.”The Wenatchee Youth Circus travels with a flatbed trailer that hauls five small circus wagons. One wagon converts into a raised covered bandstand, and the others haul equipment.read more at:http://edmonds.patch.com/articles/guppo-the-clown-still-going-strong-with-wenatchee-youth-circus#photo-6975665
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