Event Details

THE GREAT JOEY GRIMALDI - CLOWN OF CLOWNS

BY NOEL MACKEN

The Great Joey Grimaldi, Clown of Clowns is a celebration of the life of Joey Grimaldi. The play is set in a public house in The Angel where Joey Grimaldi, an excellent raconteur, dictates his many tales of jubilation, trials and tribulations to the young Charles Dickens for Posteriority. From his early youth, his first performance on stage at Sadler's Wells, Drury Lane, Covent Garden and the myriad of other theatres Joey weaves his amazing tapestry. With the enthusiastic encouragement of the pub’s landlord, Mr. Murphy, a good friend and confidante who knows Joey’s stories intimately, Joey tells of his extraordinary escapades, theatres, pantomimes, songs, capers, and the colourful characters that he has encountered along the way.  

The role that Joey Grimaldi’s flamboyant clown played in the theatres of Britain is enormous while his influence and inspired “whiteface” and drunken clown antics live on in the circus clown and comedy circuit right up to the present day. Many people have heard of Joey Grimaldi but few people know much about his life. The Great Joey Grimaldi, Clown Of Clowns is a roller-coaster ride through the highs and lows of one of the world’s most loved, renowned, respected and innovative clowns.

Joey lived at a time of enormous social and technological change; industrialisation, regency gentrification and political turmoil reminiscent of today. Joey was born into a family of performers, dancers, actors and entertainers; his grandfather performed at the fairs of Europe while his father was also a much applauded clown and dance master in his day…..

WRITTEN BY NOEL MACKEN

JOEY GRIMALDI PERFORMED BY RICCARDO PORTONE

Riccardo Portone has performed in many plays including: ‘The Jongleur’ (Dario Fo), ‘The Glass Menagerie’ (Tennessee Williams)  and ‘The Three Sisters’ (Anton Chekhov).

MR. MURPHY PERFORMED BY NOEL MACKEN

PRODUCED BY BUFFOONERY PROFUNDO

Running time: 90 minutes (45 minutes, 15 minute Interval, then 30 minutes)

Sunday 23rd - Monday 24th June 2019 at 7.30pm

TICKETS £10

For further ticket information please click here or call 0333 012 4963 for all booking enquiries.