This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21319024
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Clowns in Joseph Grimaldi church tribute service | Clowns in Joseph Grimaldi church tribute service |
(about 20 hours later) | |
By Andy Dangerfield BBC News, London | By Andy Dangerfield BBC News, London |
Rubber noses, frizzy wigs and multi-coloured suits may not sound like your usual Sunday best. | Rubber noses, frizzy wigs and multi-coloured suits may not sound like your usual Sunday best. |
But this look was very much en vogue in an east London church. | But this look was very much en vogue in an east London church. |
Armed with hand puppets, balloon animals and whoopie cushions, dozens of clowns descended on Holy Trinity Church in Dalston. | Armed with hand puppets, balloon animals and whoopie cushions, dozens of clowns descended on Holy Trinity Church in Dalston. |
They were there to remember fellow clowns who have passed on, and pay tribute to the man seen as the father of modern clowning - Joseph Grimaldi. | |
Grimaldi, who made his stage debut at the Sadler's Wells Theatre when he was less than two years old, is thought to be the inspiration for the clown nickname "Joey". | Grimaldi, who made his stage debut at the Sadler's Wells Theatre when he was less than two years old, is thought to be the inspiration for the clown nickname "Joey". |
The 19th Century London clown trail blazed modern clown comedy, clobber and antics. | The 19th Century London clown trail blazed modern clown comedy, clobber and antics. |
Larger than life | Larger than life |
Tony Eldridge - aka Blue Bottle - secretary of Clowns International, who arrived dressed as a comedy security guard, explained the impact Grimaldi had on the clowning world. | Tony Eldridge - aka Blue Bottle - secretary of Clowns International, who arrived dressed as a comedy security guard, explained the impact Grimaldi had on the clowning world. |
"Before him, there were pierrot and jesters," he said. | "Before him, there were pierrot and jesters," he said. |
"But Grimaldi saw the funny side in life, and his character clown reflected the stupidity that happens all around us. | "But Grimaldi saw the funny side in life, and his character clown reflected the stupidity that happens all around us. |
"He came up with the ideas of painting a personalised character on his face and using props." | "He came up with the ideas of painting a personalised character on his face and using props." |
Such was the anticipation for the 67th annual event, the church was packed to the rafters an hour before the service had even begun. | |
But Custard Clown Uncle Colin and his prankster pal Mr Woo, sporting a bright red wig, rosy cheeks and garish checked suit, were on hand to buffoon around and warm up the crowds. | But Custard Clown Uncle Colin and his prankster pal Mr Woo, sporting a bright red wig, rosy cheeks and garish checked suit, were on hand to buffoon around and warm up the crowds. |
Not that they needed warming up - children's cheers echoed around the church at their comedy capers. | Not that they needed warming up - children's cheers echoed around the church at their comedy capers. |
After an hour of waiting, circus show-tunes were bashed out on the organ, and the doors at the back of the church burst open. | After an hour of waiting, circus show-tunes were bashed out on the organ, and the doors at the back of the church burst open. |
A variegated sea of jokers, jesters and pranksters dressed in motley, frolicked up the aisle, entertaining on their way, before plonking themselves in front of the altar. | A variegated sea of jokers, jesters and pranksters dressed in motley, frolicked up the aisle, entertaining on their way, before plonking themselves in front of the altar. |
The service began as Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin addressed the church. | The service began as Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin addressed the church. |
Clown's Prayer | Clown's Prayer |
Shimmering oversized bowtie wearing Jolly Jack, 64, from Islington, who has been a clown since the Jubilee Street parties of 1977, gave a reading from the Bible. | Shimmering oversized bowtie wearing Jolly Jack, 64, from Islington, who has been a clown since the Jubilee Street parties of 1977, gave a reading from the Bible. |
The service then took a less traditional turn as balloon animals were made for the local children. | The service then took a less traditional turn as balloon animals were made for the local children. |
The odd horn hooter went off during the hymns, but the clowns were generally on their best behaviour. | The odd horn hooter went off during the hymns, but the clowns were generally on their best behaviour. |
There was a sombre moment as the names of clowns who had died in the last year were read out one by one. | There was a sombre moment as the names of clowns who had died in the last year were read out one by one. |
A candle was lit for each clown and carried down the aisle, followed by a wreath for Grimaldi. | |
Finally, the Clown's Prayer was said, which thanked God for the gift of laughter. | Finally, the Clown's Prayer was said, which thanked God for the gift of laughter. |
But do the clowns' capers really fit alongside religious reverence? | But do the clowns' capers really fit alongside religious reverence? |
Ms Hudson-Wilkin, the vicar of the parish, and Speaker's Chaplain in the House of Commons, thinks so. | Ms Hudson-Wilkin, the vicar of the parish, and Speaker's Chaplain in the House of Commons, thinks so. |
"There is a wonderful passage in the Bible that says we are fools for Christ," she said. | "There is a wonderful passage in the Bible that says we are fools for Christ," she said. |
"In society, we all need to laugh a bit more. | "In society, we all need to laugh a bit more. |
"Laughter fits perfectly with the church. | "Laughter fits perfectly with the church. |
"I hope this enables people to see the church is real and participates in the cycle of people's lives, because laughter and humour is necessary in the cycle of life." | "I hope this enables people to see the church is real and participates in the cycle of people's lives, because laughter and humour is necessary in the cycle of life." |
The service is so popular, an overflow of worshippers congregated in the nearby church hall to watch via video link. | The service is so popular, an overflow of worshippers congregated in the nearby church hall to watch via video link. |
Gigantic boots | Gigantic boots |
But afterwards, the show had only just begun. Clowns descended on the church hall and performed for the waiting families. | But afterwards, the show had only just begun. Clowns descended on the church hall and performed for the waiting families. |
Tuppy and Stephen Richardson had squeezed their gigantic boots and homemade outfits into suitcases and got on a plane from Adelade, Australia, to be at the service. | Tuppy and Stephen Richardson had squeezed their gigantic boots and homemade outfits into suitcases and got on a plane from Adelade, Australia, to be at the service. |
"We heard the Grimaldi story and thought it was inspiring," said Mrs Richardson, sporting a purple wig and flower in her hat. | "We heard the Grimaldi story and thought it was inspiring," said Mrs Richardson, sporting a purple wig and flower in her hat. |
"We've never heard of anything like this in the world." | "We've never heard of anything like this in the world." |
The couple have not come up with clown names yet. | The couple have not come up with clown names yet. |
"It took us two years to name our rabbit," said Mr Richardson. | "It took us two years to name our rabbit," said Mr Richardson. |
"We're not professionals. It's just a hobby," Mrs Richardson added. | "We're not professionals. It's just a hobby," Mrs Richardson added. |
"We enjoyed walking down the street and waving at people. | "We enjoyed walking down the street and waving at people. |
"People just stop and smile and start speaking to us. You feel the mood lifts. " | "People just stop and smile and start speaking to us. You feel the mood lifts. " |
Previous version
1
Next version