Britain ' s only woman clown . Mrs Dorothy Verdel is Britain ' s only woman clown yet not one in a hundred of the thousands of Londoners who laugh every day at her quips and antics in the Crystal Palace circus ring realise that they are not laughing at a man . For while in private life , Mrs Vardel is a typical housewife , under the circus lights she appears as a fantastic being enveloped in an enormous coat and trousers and the inevitable grease paint . then she pours out a stream of humour that would do justice to any male Punchinello . Photo shows , Mrs Dorothy Verdal as she is outside the circus . 29 December 1935