‘Magic happens when you put on a red nose’: Why these Irish women decided to become clowns

We associate clowning with men but its potential to transform and empower has made it increasingly popular with women. Kate Demolder looks at the ongoing rise of female clowning

Nora Kelly Lester from Bunny Bunny Productions pictured at her home in Barnland in Gorey, County Wexford. Pic: Jim Campbell

For centuries, clown cars have mostly been filled with men. A new group of talent is changing that.

The leopard print swimsuit is just the start. Bunny, the frantic, absurd and endearing clown created and performed by Nora Kelly Lester for her critically acclaimed show Bunny Bunny, pivots from a red nose to a teddy bear to a bin bag, all to convey modern womanhood in all of its messy contradictions.