Clown told to avoid oversized shoes

LIVERPOOL, England, April 23 (UPI) -- A Moscow State Circus clown says he was told by circus management not to wear his oversized clown shoes following an accident in Britain.

Valerik Kashkin said after he broke the metatarsal bone in his left foot as a result of a fall from a high wire in the city of Liverpool he was told to avoid wearing his size 18 shoes as a safety precaution, The Daily Telegraph said Thursday.

"The shoes are an important part of my costume, and I was disappointed to be told I couldn't do this part of my act," Kashkin, 40, said.

Kashkin said he is confident in his ability to wear the shoes and still remain safe during his act, which consists of him crossing a wire while simultaneously playing a drum-kit, double-bass and trumpet.

"I feel fine, and think I could do it in the shoes -- the impact might be lost on the audience now," Kashkin told the Telegraph.

Moscow State Circus General Manager Paul Archer agreed the loss of the large shoes may detract from Kashkin's act but he said the precautionary ban was necessary.