For one London congregation , dress out in their Sunday best way donning a red-faced foam nose , outsized shoe , and a bowler lid . As the Agence France - Presse story , the All Saints Church in East London is home to an yearly church service of process for clowns , who cumulate each year on the first Sunday of February to pay up tribute to their icon , 18th - one C English comedian and pantomime performerJoseph Grimaldi .
Grimaldi , who died in 1837 , wasone of the earth ’s first circus clown . He ’s credit with creating the forward-looking archetype of the clown as a puckish — yet devoid — figure , and for being the first to get into all - white make - up . ( “ Joey , ” a vernacular term for pantomime clown coined by writer George Bernard Shaw , was inspired by Grimaldi . ) But despite his well-chosen façade , Grimaldi led a tragical private life , and his signature panache of physical comedy precede to him develop a innkeeper of abominable forcible ailments , including arthritis .
The first church service of process observe Grimaldi ’s retentiveness was held in 1946 , at a since - demolish church in the London borough of Islington ( home to Grimaldi ’s grave ) . Now in its 71st year , the case draws extremity of the clowning diligence from around the humanity who wish to celebrate Grimaldi , “ and to pay … last respect to all those buffoon who go along on to the big top in the sky during the previous year,”states the website of Clowns International , a non - net that draw itself as “ the oldest plant club for clowns and friends of clown . ”
This year ’s Annual Grimaldi Clown Service fell on February 5 and drew dozens of attendees . The computer program featured hymns , a prayer dedicated to the clowning profession , and tributes to clowns past and present .
" buffoon are the catalyst to laughter , " loudspeaker system MC Mattie the Clown say meeter , according to CNN . “ And as Charlie Chaplin said : ' A twenty-four hour period without laughter is a day wasted . ' "
agree out a telecasting of this yr ’s clown - theme church serving below .
[ h / tAgence France - Presse ]
