Finchley’s Blue Plaques: Joseph Grimaldi
“Be a clown, be a clown,
all the world loves a clown….”
Cole Porter’s classic homage to the world of circus entertainment seems an appropriate homage to Joseph Grimaldi, another of the five Finchley Blue Plaque recipients.
The son of an entertainer, Grimaldi was born on December 18, 1778 , near to present- day Aldwych, into a family of dancers and clowns. Young Joseph was only three years old when he made his stage debut but rapidly became the most popular entertainer in in Regency London.
At the height of his fame, he rented Fallow Cottage in Finchley from 1806 to 1812 and named it “Tippity Cottage” after one of his most famous songs. The site is now 5 Graywood Court N12. A blue plaque hung originally on the wall of nearby Finchley Memorial Hospital but disappeared when the old building was demolished. A Finchley Society panel about Grimaldi’s life was later unveiled in the hospital grounds.
Grimaldi was three when he followed in the footsteps of his father, Giuseppe Grimaldi, a ballet-master, dancer and pantaloon who first appeared in London at the King’s Head (now Her Majesty’s Theatre). Grimaldi’s mother, Rebecca Brooker, danced and played bit parts at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and at Sadler’s Wells.
His style of clowning had its origins in Italy’s Commedia dell’arte of the 16th century but it was the Harlequinades of the early 19th century which made him the founding father of modern day clowns. He made the role his own and thus all clowns became known as “Joey”.
Grimaldi’s first performance as a clown was at Sadler’s Wells in 1800 as ‘Guzzle the Drinking Clown’ in a pantomime called Harlequin in the Flying World. Dressed in an extravagant , multi-coloured costume, he sported a made-up white face with two half moons on each cheek.
As the forerunner of the pantomime dame, he initiated the tradition of audience participation: “Oh yes he is . . . oh no he isn’t….”
More than 200 years after Grimaldi, clowns are still coming to Finchley, Our family of four sons were always excited when the circus came to town.
The big top was a familiar sight on the grounds at the top of Long Lane but last year, we were delighted to see the circus arrive at Victoria Park. No animals now of course, but lots happy music and tom foolery from the clowns. Much enjoyed by our children’s children. Hope the Big Top returns next year.
— Lynn Radnedge