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Jan 01, 2008 | ISBN 9781901285949 Buy
Aug 28, 2012 | ISBN 9781908968586 Buy
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Available from:
Jan 01, 2008 | ISBN 9781901285949
Aug 28, 2012 | ISBN 9781908968586
In 1837 Charles Dickens, then twenty-five years old, was asked to ‘tidy up’ Joseph Grimaldi’s autobiography – he ended up re-writing most of it. Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837), one of the greatest English clowns and pantomimes of all time, was born in London to an Italian ballet-master and a dancer in the theatre’s corps-de-ballet. The death of Grimaldi’s father when he was nine plunged the family into debt. He was introduced to the stage at the age of two and began performing at the Sadler’s Wells theatre at the age of three. Grimaldi’s fame as a pantomime clown was unequalled and he is credited as an innovator. He introduced the tradition of audience participation, of poking fun at spectators, and generally the modern concept of the clown as such. He died a poor and physically crippled man.Pushkin Collection editions feature a spare, elegant series style and superior, durable components. The Collection is typeset in Monotype Baskerville, litho-printed on Munken Premium White Paper and notch-bound by the independently owned printer TJ International in Padstow. The covers, with French flaps, are printed on Colorplan Pristine White Paper. Both paper and cover board are acid-free and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.
In 1837 Charles Dickens, then twenty-five years old, was asked to ‘tidy up’ Joseph Grimaldi’s autobiography – he ended up re-writing most of it. Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837), one of the greatest English clowns and pantomimes of all time, was born in London to an Italian ballet-master and a dancer in the theatre’s corps-de-ballet. The death of Grimaldi’s father when he was nine plunged the family into debt. He was introduced to the stage at the age of two and began performing at the Sadler’s Wells theatre at the age of three. Grimaldi’s fame as a pantomime clown was unequalled and he is credited as an innovator. He introduced the tradition of audience participation, of poking fun at spectators, and generally the modern concept of the clown as such. He died a poor and physically crippled man.
“Grimaldi is dead and hath left no peer. We fear with him the spirit disappeared.” – London Illustrated News“I think Dickens is one of the best friends mankind has ever had. He has held the mirror up to nature, (his character’s) names should be in every child’s mouth; they ought to be adopted members of every household.” – George Santayana, Dickens
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