In a small park in Islington is the grave of Joseph Grimaldi (the park has the same name). A pantomine clown (1779 - 1837) first appeared on stage before he was 3yrs old against his will, dragged onto the stage by his father, an Italian actor, who by all accounts mistreated the boy.Joey (as he became fondly known as) went on to become London's most celebrated clown. in fact Joey is a term still used to refer to clowns. His most famous role was in Mother Goose at Covent Garden in 1806.
He retired while still relatively young but nearly crippled. During these years he wrote his memoirs, (2 large volumes), that were edited by Charles Dickens.
Regarded as the founding father of modern clowns and so adored, that a memorial service is still held on the first Sunday in February each year, at All Saints Church, Haggerston, Hackney. Hundreds of clowns from all over the world attend. The service is followed by a show for children.
Here is one of his well known songs hot codlins (toffee apples), when he sings the last line, the audience shout out GIN. He then scolds them for thinking such a thing.
A little old woman,
her living she got by selling hot codlins,
hot, hot, hot.
And this little old woman,
who codlins sold,tho' her codlins were hot,
she felt herself cold.
So to keep herself warm she thought it no sin to fetch for herself a quartern of ........
