English harlequinade and pantomime

The Harlequin character came to England early in the 17th century and took center
stage in the derived genre of the Harlequinade, developed in the early 18th century
by the Lincoln's Fields Theatre's actor-manager John Rich, who played the role
under the name of Lun.[4] As the Harlequinade portion of English pantomime
developed, Harlequin was routinely paired with the character Clown.

Two developments in 1800, both involving Joseph Grimaldi, greatly changed the
pantomime characters.[31] Grimaldi starred as Clown in Charles Dibdin's 1800
pantomime, Peter Wilkins: or Harlequin in the Flying World at Sadler's Wells
Theatre.[32][33] For this elaborate production, Dibdin introduced new costume
designs. Clown's costume was "garishly colourful ... patterned with large diamonds
and circles, and fringed with tassels and ruffs," instead of the tatty servant's
outfit that had been used for a century. The production was a hit, and the new
costume design was copied by others in London.[33] Later the same year, at the
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in Harlequin Amulet; or, The Magick of Mona. Harlequin
was modified to become "romantic and mercurial, instead of mischievous", leaving
Grimaldi's mischievous and brutish Clown as the "undisputed agent" of chaos, and
the foil for the more sophisticated Harlequin, who retained stylized dance poses.
[34] The most influential such pair in Victorian England were the Payne Brothers,
active during the 1860s and 1870s, who contributed to 20th-century "slapstick"
comedy.
See also

Arlecchino (opera)
Clown
Harley Quinn
Jester
Mr. Harley Quin
Punch and Judy
"Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman
Tricky slave