UNITED KINGDOM: Clowns from the world pay homage to Joseph Grimaldi the father of modern clowning at annual memorial service in East London

A highlight of a clown's calendar is the annual Grimaldi Memorial Service held on the first Sunday in February in East London's Dalston. The service celebrates the birth of Joseph Grimaldi in 1778 - the father of modern clowning. Joseph Grimaldi was the most famous of the pantomime clowns, who made his first appearance in 1800, and such was his eminence that to this day clowns are called "Joeys" in his memory. Grimaldi also pioneered the next important element that a "Traditional" pantomime should have, the art of cross dressing- the Pantomime Dame. Despite his Italian name and heritage, Grimaldi was actually born in London in 1779. His style of clowning had its origins in the Italian commedia dell'arte of the sixteenth century. Joseph Grimaldi was three-years old when he first went on the stage of Sadler's Wells with his father and worked there for 45 years as performer and part-proprietor. From his debut in 1806 at Covent Garden in Mother Goose, he was adored by all and could fill a theatre anywhere. The name Joey has passed into the English language to mean clown. He lived all his life among the people of Clerkenwell, London and died at the age of 33. The clowns started meeting annually for divine worship just after the war in 1946. These reunions began informally and initially took place at St James Church in central London, the connection being that Joseph Grimaldi was buried in the Churchyard. However, the Clowns transferred to their spiritual home, the Holy Trinity Church in the East end of London in 1959, and it was here that the occasion has grown to its present proportions. However this year's service took place at nearby All Saints Church to form part of its 150th anniversary celebration. Clowns appear in full make-up, irrespective of religious convictions, for this very special Service, to which the public are warmly invited. The Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin precedes over the service. Aside from giving thanks to Grimaldi, the congregation also pay their respects to clowns who died in the last year and thank God for the gift of laughter. "It is very special, because it's the one time in every, in each year, when all clowns come together and I had phone call from clowns in Australia and Canada and all over the place and all over England and the UK, who come together specifically to celebrate the most famous of all clowns Grimaldi and they also remembered those who died in the last year. So, it's a very special time," said Hudson-Wilkin. The atmosphere is uplifting; it is one of celebration and attracts clowns of all ages. Whilst the 'clown' may have been in decline over the last decade in their traditional appearances within circus and pantomime, they have seen somewhat a revival as children's party entertainers. Certainly the annual gathering for the Grimaldi service is one tradition that is set to stay. A quirky story.

ITN Source | February 11, 2006

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