--- product_id: 301345337 title: "The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi: Laughter, Madness and the Story of Britain's Greatest Comedian Paperback – Illustrated, 2 Sept. 2010" brand: "andrew mcconnell stott" price: "VT3082" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/301345337-the-pantomime-life-of-joseph-grimaldi-laughter-madness-and-story store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi: Laughter, Madness and the Story of Britain's Greatest Comedian Paperback – Illustrated, 2 Sept. 2010 **Brand:** andrew mcconnell stott **Price:** VT3082 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi: Laughter, Madness and the Story of Britain's Greatest Comedian Paperback – Illustrated, 2 Sept. 2010 by andrew mcconnell stott - **How much does it cost?** VT3082 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/301345337-the-pantomime-life-of-joseph-grimaldi-laughter-madness-and-story) ## Best For - andrew mcconnell stott enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted andrew mcconnell stott brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Full description not available ## Images ![The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi: Laughter, Madness and the Story of Britain's Greatest Comedian Paperback – Illustrated, 2 Sept. 2010 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91ApJFYL2oL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars Clown Jewels *by T***Y on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 December 2009* To borrow a title from later great clowns, "The Crazy Gang."Andrew McConnell Stott has written perhaps the finest biography I've read this year. Following his modern day prologue at the annual Clowns' Memorial Service in Hackney, the turn of a page takes us back to Boxing Day 1810, as the greatest clown of all is about to step onto the pantomime stage.We are then treated to an enthralling biography of the clown himself, with stories illustrating the theatrical and social scene around him adding extra colour. At the end, for further interest, pantomime "Mother Goose" is reproduced in full from an 1807 printing and the "Notes" section contains famous extracts of verse including Joe's own "Hot Codlins," written for him by Dibden.Deciding to take this broad view is a wise one. With few solid records and so many anecdotes abounding (the "go see the great clown to cure your depression - I am that clown" story is here weighed and rightly fast dispatched) lesser authors might become mired in probably irrelevant details. Instead, placing Grimaldi in his favourite environment allows us to enjoy the intrigues of the artistes' "Green Room" and managers' offices; with excursions into the auditorium, Parliament and the homes of gentry and commoners alike to balance out the biographical insights.Best of all, Stott's text is as light as Harlequin's moves, his eye for humour and the need to clarify details for those unschooled in that period always as deft and sure. Not a single passage drags, and it is both the facts and the atmosphere of the era that the reader will absorb by the end.For those like myself, who know little about that theatrical period, this proves an excellent guide. Those interested in the history of comedy will find it a "must purchase" if only to discover who invented "huge clown shoes" and other comedic elements now taken for granted. Taken simply as a biography, for those who enjoy the genre, I'd say that this is one strongly deserving of a place on your bookshelf. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh, clown,laugh.... *by R***N on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2014* I found this account of the life of Joe Grimaldi fascinating. Here was the man from whom we still derive the name"Joey" for the white faced clown, who died unable to walk, in his 40s, from a lifetime beating hell out of himself in order to make people laugh...we who live in an age of regulated working conditions and risk management cannot imagine what a risky life it was for an initerant performer whose health was the only asset he had. This book shows what a tough life it was and paints a vivid picture of professional and managerial rivalries.It was well worth buying. I recommend you buy it too! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi *by M***T on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 December 2009* For those readers interested in the development of the modern-day circus clown from his earliest roots in pantomime, this book is an absolute must. It is a well-researched and in-depth look at the life of Joseph Grimaldi, the first clown to adopt the white face and broad red smile that we have grown to love at the circus. I have always felt that clowns are, inherently, very sad characters and, judging by Joseph's early life, this is, indeed, the case. I commend this book to those who may find the subject matter of interest. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/301345337-the-pantomime-life-of-joseph-grimaldi-laughter-madness-and-story](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/301345337-the-pantomime-life-of-joseph-grimaldi-laughter-madness-and-story) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-08*