c.2000 – date
Derek Carpenter is Bo The Clown. Derek moved to Newcastle in 2000, he is a street entertainer and clown with 40 years experience. He has a traditional Clown car called “Fut 1” and a multi-bike, suitable for 5 people which he uses for Parades. He also has various Punch & Judy shows, one is the traditional Punch & Judy booth, another is a walkabout and the third is based on a tricycle. As a storyteller he uses Kamishibai traditional Japanese storytelling again based on a bike.
His son, Charlie Carpenter, as a 2 year old was in his fathers street act and was part of a comedy routine being shot out of a cannon (not literally). He went on to train at Circomedia, and is an aerialist and all round performer. He was based at the Buddle Arts Centre c2006 – 2008. He performed as a soloist and in 2007/8 with Hang Aerial Dance as part of ‘Get Knotted’. With partner Haylee May and Frayed Knot he set up Phoenix Aerial Club, in the Ouseburn, Newcastle, before moving away from the region c2008/9 to work with Dream State Circus in Australia.
