First as tragedy, then as farce

young child cries because they are forced to wear a bear costume to dance on a circus ball only to be mocked and laughed at by the circus audience.

John became the laughing stock of the entire circus with his bear balancing act. Maybe the costume was a bit much? Maybe it was the tiny arms? Either way, I don't think he will ever recover from the embarrassment.

A capybara blancing on a stick that's balancing on the head of a person. The person is riding a unicycle on a tightrope in front of a crowd at a circus.