Erection date: /10/2016
Joseph Grimaldi
Joseph Grimaldi was born in 1778 in London. His father was an entertainer and young Joseph appeared on stage at the age of three. He became the most popular entertainer in Regency London. In the early 1800s he expanded the role of Clown in the pantomime Harlequinade and made it his own. He dominated the London comic stage in the role as Clown so that all clowns are now known as "Joey". Both this nickname and Grimaldi's white make-up design were, and still are, used by other types of clown. He is regarded as being the first modern clown and the most famous. He is shown here in his costume and make-up. He was the forerunner of the pantomime dame and began the tradition of audience participation in pantomimes.
At the height of his career Joseph Grimaldi rented Fallow Cottage from 1806 to c.1812. He referred to it as Tippity Cottage after one of his most famous songs. He would drive out in his gig to Finchley each evening after performing in London. The cottage was replaced by another house in 1860 renamed Fallow Cottage. This was demolished in 1939 when Graywood Court was built.
Grimaldi's health was ruined by years of acrobatic tumbling and he retired in 1823. He died in 1837 and Charles Dickens, the famous Victorian writer, was commissioned to edit The Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi, published in 1838. Charles Dickens himself had a connection with Finchley, writing part of Martin Chuzzlewit in 1843 whilst living in Cobley's Farmhouse.
The commemorative plaque shown here was unveiled by Spike Milligan on 1st April 1984. The plaque was lost when the old Memorial Hospital was replaced in 2012.
Following research at the London Borough of Barnet's Local Studies and Archive Centre the site of Grimaldi's cottage was traced to the site now occupied by 5-8 Graywood Court, across the road from this information panel.
The Finchley Society, with the consent of the owners, has placed a new commemorative plaque on this building to replace the original.
Placed here by The Finchley Society
October 2016
Site: Grimaldi - N12 (2 memorials)
N12, Granville Road, Finchley Memorial Hospital, New Buildings
Dickens re-edited Grimaldi’s memoirs 1837-8. He worked from Thomas Wilks' edited version of Grimaldi’s original, which is now lost so the veracity of the memoirs is uncertain. It is likely that it was through this job that Dickens first came to know this area, even though Grimaldi was dead by the time he got involved in the project. Dickens later came to live nearby.
There is another plaque to Grimaldi's home very close by.
2024: Matt Brown of Londonist informed us that this building was demolished, c.2012, taking the plaque with it. The building has been replaced with some trees and seating and an information panel.
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