In the footsteps of Joseph Grimaldi the Clerkenwell Clown, 1778 - 1837

Speaker: David Girt alias Jolly Jack the clown
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1

Joseph Grimaldi was a second generation Italian, born in Clare Market in 1778. He was the son of Joseph Gimaldi senior, a ballet master and part-owner of Sadlers Wells theatre and his wife, a dancer.

A life-long career as an entertainer started at the tender age of three dressed as a monkey and ended as the most famous and influential exponent of the clown art.

He lived around Clerkenwell all his life and is buried in the churchyard (now Grimaldi Park) of the former St James's, Pentonville. A blue plaque commemorates him in Exmouth Market.

To this day all clowns are called Joey in his memory.

David Girt was born in Portsmouth and started his working life as an aircraft engineer. After this he became a church and charity worker, starting to clown in Watford in 1977 for the Silver Jubilee street parties.

He has used his clowning skills in his work with children and has been a full time professional clown clown for 8 years. He has several clown characters and is interested in comic magic, origami and mime.

He was worked at Old Covent Garden Market, London Hilton, Chelsea Physic Garden and many other places. His work has also included television and radio performances.