Joseph Grimaldi (1778–1837) was an English actor, comedian, dancer, and the Regency era's most successful entertainer. He popularised and expanded the role of "Clown" in the harlequinade that formed a part of British pantomimes during the 1800s, and became a key pantomime performer at the Drury Lane, Sadler's Wells and Covent Garden theatres. While a boy, he appeared on stage at Drury Lane as "Little Clown" in the pantomime The Triumph of Mirth; or, Harlequin's Wedding. Other successful roles at the theatre followed, but he left in 1806 to take up theatrical residencies at the Covent Garden and Sadler's Wells theatres. As he matured, he began performing as Clown, for which character he created the whiteface make-up design still used in pantomime and by many other clowns today. The numerous injuries he received as a result of his energetic performances eventually led to a decline in his health and to his semi-retirement in 1823. Living in obscurity during his final years, he became an impoverished alcoholic. Grimaldi died at home in Islington, aged 59, having outlived his wife and his actor son Joseph Samuel.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Grimaldi
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1892:
The first performance of the fairy tale-ballet The Nutcracker was held at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nutcracker
1916:
The French defeated German forces around the city of Verdun- sur-Meuse in northeast France, ending the longest battle and one of the bloodiest in World War I. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Verdun
1958:
The United States launched SCORE, the world's first communications satellite. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCORE_(satellite)
1966:
Epimetheus, one of the moons of Saturn, was discovered, but was mistaken as Janus. It took twelve years to determine that they are two distinct objects sharing the same orbit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epimetheus_(moon)
2010:
The Tunisian Revolution began, and what was initially a series of protests with a set of demands evolved into nationwide demonstrations that eventually toppled the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali after nearly 23 years of rule. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisian_Revolution
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
pergola: A framework in the form of a passageway of columns that supports a trelliswork roof; used to support and train climbing plants. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pergola
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
The main thing now is not to paint precociously but to be, or at least become, an individual. The art of mastering life is the prerequisite for all further forms of expression, whether they are paintings, sculptures, tragedies, or musical compositions. --Paul Klee https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Paul_Klee