Grimaldi, Joseph, 1778 - 1837
Dates
- Existence: 1778 - 1837
Biography
Joseph Grimaldi was born in Clare Market, London in 1778. Although by now settled in England, Joseph came from a long line of performers of Italian origin. Joseph’s father, Joseph Guiseppe Grimaldi, was an actor, dancer and the Ballet Master at the Theatre Royal at Drury Lane, dubbed ‘The Signeur’.
Joseph first appeared on stage with his father at Drury Lane Theatre when he was only two years old in harlequinades. Harlequinades came from the Italian tradition of Commedia del’Arte, which was very popular at the time. Harlequinades were very physically demanding plays, which as well as acting and comedy skills required a high level of physical agility to perform tumbling, acrobatics and even juggling acts.
Joseph excelled in his role, which progressively increased in prominence and by the time he was six years old, he started to get his own small clown character pieces. By the turn of the nineteenth century Joseph was one of the most famous clowns in Britain and was giving several performances per night, which took a toll on his health. By the time Joseph reached forty eight years of age he was burnt out both physically and mentally.
Joseph retired in 1828, aged fifty, after spending forty eight years on stage, his last performance was at the Drury Lane Theatre where everything had started.
Joseph died in his home in Islington in 1837. His influence in modern clowning and the development of this performance art is such that clowns from around the world gather every 31st May in London at a religious service and lay flowers on his grave. Joseph is one of the most iconic clowns of all times and is widely considered the father of modern clowning. The term Joey is used as a generic way to refer to clowns in the circus world.
Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:
Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance for Jewish Child's Day Programme, 21 December 1953
Three colour illustrations of Grimaldi the clown on the front cover over a white background, inside introduction, loose programme, some articles and commercial advertising. Printed by Woburn Printing Co, Ltd, Upper Woburn Place, 4p.p.
Bertram Mills Circus Royal and Gala Performance Programmes, Great Carmo, Bostock and Wombwell's, and Bailey's Circus Programmes, c1900 - 1999
Bertram Mills Circus Royal and Gala Performance programmes, Great Carmo's Circus, Bostock and Wombwell's menagerie and Bailey's Circus programmes.
Circus Friends Association Collection
This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Durrant's Press Cuttings, 1930 - 1955
Mr Grimaldi Print, 11 October 1820
Lithograph on paper by Wageman, printed by Blood and published by Mr. Charles Westmacott. Black and white illustration of bust portrait of man in suit.
Original Artwork, c1800 - 2000
Original works of art including artists' prints, drawings, watercolours and paintings, and designs for circus posters.
Posters, c1800 - 2011
A wide range of British and international circus and menagerie posters ranging from the 19th to the 21st century including Astley's Amphitheatre, Pablo Fanque, Polito, Bostock and Wombwell, Ducrow, Cooke, Hengler, Sanger, Smart, Gerry Cottle, Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's, Robert Brothers, Fossett, Blackpool Tower, Billy Russell, Belle Vue, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, Austen Brothers and many more.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
Sketch, 1837 original
Colour Sketch of Grimaldi the clown. Published by Dyer Senr, 109 Aldersgate Street.
Theatre Royal Poster, 5 June 1816
Various Items Related to Variety, c1837 - 2008
Various items related to variety theatre in Blackpool and other locations.
Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian Circus Posters, c1800 - 1930
Early circus and menagerie posters including Polito's menagerie, Astley's Amphitheatre and Pablo Fanque's, Sanger's, Powell's, Ducrow's, Cooke's and Hengler's circuses among others.
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