大象传媒

How one of the world's most famous clowns, Joseph Grimaldi, became a superstar of Georgian pantomime.

Born in December 1778, Joseph became the family breadwinner at the age of nine, following his father鈥檚 death from syphilis. By the time he died, aged 59 in 1837, he had become the toast of the Regency Era, with appearances at Sadler鈥檚 Wells and Covent Garden. Despite his fame, and the joy he brought to thousands, Grimaldi died a depressed alcoholic.

History has it that he visited a doctor to cure his melancholy, who advised him to go the theatre so see Grimaldi, prompting the reply,

鈥淎las, that is of no avail to me. I AM Grimaldi.鈥�

Andrew McConnell Stott's account is read by Kenneth Cranham.

An omnibus of Viv Beeby鈥檚 five-part adaptation.

Producer: Justine Willett

First broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio 4 in December 2009.