In 1806, the pantomime clown Joseph Grimaldi ("The Garrick of Clowns") had performed his greatest success in "Harlequin and Mother Goose; or the Golden Egg" at Covent Garden, and this was subsequently revived, at the new theatre. Grimaldi was an innovator: his performance as "Joey" introduced the clown to the world, building on the existing role of Harlequin derived from the "Commedia dell'arte". His father had been ballet-master at Drury Lane, and his physical comedy, his ability to invent visual tricks and buffoonery, and his ability to poke fun at the audience were extraordinary.