Lulu Adams

Lulu Adams (born Louise Cranston 1900 Mechelen–1989) was a British circus performer and one of the first female clowns .^[1]

Louise Cranston was born into an English circus family.^[2] Her grandmother was a tightrope walker, and her mother, Martha Cashmore, performed equestrian acrobatics and dog training  Her father, Joe Craston, was a clown and also practiced acrobatics.^[3][1]

Her career began when she was twelve years old. She played several instruments, including the bagpipes, also danced, sang, and spoke French and German fluently. Her numbers combined musical aspects and comedic parts. She was one of the first female clowns in the United Kingdom. She performed at the Olympia London.^[4] She usually wears a short white wig and a small conical hat  .

In 1927, she met the clown Albert Adams, who became her husband and partner in their duo act “Lulu and Albertino Adams”. They performed in the United States with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1939. When World War II broke out; they returned to the United Kingdom; she joined the British Red Cross, and he joined the Entertainments National Service Association . ^[5]

She also created stage outfits, for herself and other shows, such as those at the Windmill Theater.^[4]

In 1948, they returned to the United States to relaunch their careers, but Albert died suddenly. However, she finished the tour alone with the Barnum  circus .^[6]

Lulu Adams retired in 1962 after touring with the most famous English and American circuses . After this date, she ran a bed and breakfast, with her sister, while continuing to sell dolls.^[5]