Clowns assemble in London to honour Joseph Grimaldi

What's black, white and red all over? A newspaper, of course! No, wait … Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Older people, clowns, and older people dressed as clowns relax before the big gig Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Classic gag-merchantry from a seasoned pro Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Some classic massive clown shoes, worn on wrong feet! Those guys! Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Re-applying the lippy Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

A bald clown with blue hair putting on his enormous black shoes in a north London gymnasium like it's the most natural thing in the world Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

The clowns listen attentively. But I bet they're thinking: when is it appropriate to do a joke with a water-squirting flower? Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

I hope our brown simian friend isn't monkeying around during the singing! Monkeying, yeah?! Yeah?! Oh, forget it Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

The clowns blow bubbles, and the kids try to catch them. (The bubbles, I mean. Not the clowns.) Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

It's not all big shoes and rabbit-shaped balloons, you know: clowns can be melancholy, too Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Satisfied spectators watch the ensuing japery Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, with wife Sally and children, look enraptured in the front row Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

This is NOT David Blaine Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

If you squint very hard, he looks a little bit like a panda, in a way Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

I'm sure his bit is very funny, but at least three kids are looking elsewhere Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

The Bercow family look on Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

A big red nose. Insert your own Alex Ferguson joke here Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

The post-match interview. At the end of the day, clowning around is a game of two halves, Clive Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian