Making Mischief Oral Histories Project, 'Mattie the Clown' full

London College of Fashion

Mattie has been clowning for 52 years, and in this interview he talks about becoming a clown, creating his ‘look’, making his first costume and designing the one he wears now. He describes the many things he’s done in his career including working abroad, performing in theatres, being a laughter therapist in a children's hospital, meeting the Queen and appearing on TV shows. He is now the archivist for Clowns International, and the curator of the Clown Museum. The museum collection also contains the clown egg register, approx. 300 eggs with clown faces on them. Every year Mattie organises the annual Clown service celebrating clowns since Grimaldi and commemorating those that have passed.