Book of the Week - The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi - Episode 2

Kenneth Cranham reads from Andrew McConnell Stott's account of the life of one of the world's most famous clowns, Joseph Grimaldi, who became a superstar of Georgian pantomime. The young Grimaldi begins to make his mark as a comic performer on the unruly stages of Georgian London. But just when he seems to have finally found happiness with his new wife and child, tragedy strikes. Joseph seeks consolation in work - and making others laugh - with a new comic creation that will change the face of clowning forever: the pantomime clown Joey, complete with full make-up of white face, blood-red mouth and blackened brows. Abridged by Viv Beeby.