THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610220109
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Kathryn Darling
LENGTH: 82 lines
Children's entertainer David Page has learned to avoid heavy traffic when dressed as a Carrots the Clown. ``People will do anything to get your attention,'' he said.
After a performance in June, he was in stopped traffic on the interstate when a van next to him opened up. Three children piled out and the mother yelled ``Can you give my kids some balloons?''
David was tired. The makeup and the costume were hot and confining. And this woman wanted him to perform for free.
He didn't give the kids balloons, and said it was the one time he was a mean clown.
David has performed as a clown and as a magician at birthday parties, moose clubs, a boy scout picnic, and for two years at Harborfest where he worked in the children's section and ``did 45 minutes to an hour of magic tricks, skits, jokes, anything to make the kids laugh,'' he said.
A senior at Maury High School David started out in business just this summer, but he's been clowning around for years.
As a child, David would watch his dad, a magician and clown, put on makeup and practice magic tricks. And David grew up attending his dad's performances and clown conventions.
When he decided to go into business for himself, David went into the attic and picked out 10 or 15 magic tricks and asked his dad to teach them to him.
In addition to the major magic tricks he knows, he has a dozen pocket tricks. ``I can pull them out and wow an audience in 5 to 25 seconds,'' he said.
He likes a trick that ``packs small - plays big.'' And said he's got tricks that ``zip, zap and zoom.''
But he's careful with the kinds of tricks he performs.
``I am a children's entertainer. You don't do something unless you want them to imitate you. I don't do fire. I don't do chain saws - nothing dangerous,'' he said.
David said he likes watching children laugh at what he laughed at as a child, watching his dad perform.
``It makes me feel good that i'm making somebody laugh. That's the whole goal - to make them laugh.''
Name: David Allen Page.
Nickname: David.
What brought you to Norfolk? My birth.
Birthplace: Norfolk.
Birthdate: Aug. 5, 1979.
Occupation: Children's entertainer and full-time student.
Marital status: Unmarried.
Children: None.
Last book read: ``Catcher in the Rye,'' by J.D. Salinger.
Favorite movie: ``Monty Python and the Holy Grail.''
Favorite magazine: Sports Illustrated.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? My desire to explore things outside of the world and to physically relate them to the actual world would probably lead me to become an astronaut. I like the idea of exploring a place where ``few men have gone before.''
Biggest accomplishment: Starting my own business with as little help as possible.
Most embarrassing moment: When a 7-year-old picked out the secret to a magic trick and told everyone, including the parents.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I'd make myself taller.
Perfect way to spend the day: Partying with friends, with a good date and doing something out of the ordinary.
Favorite vacation spot: Duck, N.C.
Hobbies: Singing, boating, engineering projects, making people smile, watching good movies.
Pet peeve: Bad driving. Dirty humor.
First job: Babysitting.
Worst job: Scraping paint from a neighbor's garage, shutters and porch.
Favorite restaurant: O'Sullivan's Wharf.
What do you like most about Norfolk? The close proximity to the beach, my friends and the safe environment.
What do you like least about Norfolk? The lack of interesting things to do on a Friday night. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by TAMARA VONINSKI by CNB