Murder, mayhem and music hall : the dark side of Victorian London

The Strand is one of London's most iconic streets – today the bustling and thriving home of West End theatres and the luxurious Savoy hotel; in the Victorian era, the Strand was a much more seedy and destitute part of the city. Barry Anthony here explores the criminal and socially subversive behaviour which abounded in and around the Victorian Strand. He introduces us to a vast range of personalities - from prostitutes, confidence tricksters, vagrants and cadgers to the actors, comedians and music hall stars who trod the boards of the Strand's early theatres. With a cast of colourful characters and through a series of exotic episodes Barry Anthony conjures up the sights and sounds of Victorian London and transports the reader a hundred and fifty years back in time to the heyday of Victorian theatre – and into the throes of the Victorian underworld. The Strand Is One Of London's Most Iconic Streets - Today The Bustling And Thriving Home Of West End Theatres And The Luxurious Savoy Hotel; In The Victorian Era, The Strand Was A Much More Seedy And Destitute Part Of The City. Barry Anthony Here Explores The Criminal And Socially Subversive Behaviour Which Abounded In And Around The Victorian Strand. He Introduces Us To A Vast Range Of Personalities - From Prostitutes, Confidence Tricksters, Vagrants And Cadgers To The Actors, Comedians And Music Hall Stars Who Trod The Boards Of The Strand's Early Theatres.--provided By Publisher 1. Where's Troy? -- 2. The Disappearance Of Love -- 3. The Dark Arches -- 4. The Lord Chief Baron Of The Coal Hole -- 5. Old Stock And Fancy Goods -- 6. The Importance Of Being Ernest . . . And Frederick -- 7. Sam And Maud -- 8. Kicking Over The Traces -- 9. A Peep Into The Unknown -- 10. Looking For Mugs In The Strand -- 11. The Casebook Of Maurice Moser -- 12. Alias Jack The Ripper -- 13. Crystals Of Morphine -- 14. An Adelphi Drama -- 15. Madame St John -- 16. The Backside Of St Clement's. Barry Anthony. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In this book, Barry Anthony explores the criminal and socially subversive behaviourwhich abounded in and around the Victor- ian Strand. He introduces us to a vast range of characters - from prostitutes, confidence tricksters, vagrants and cadgers, to the actors, comedians and music-hall stars who trod the boards of the Strand's early theatres. He tells the stories of Lottie Collins, whose music-hall song Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay was said to have heralded the 'Naughty Nineties'; the disappearance of young actress Mabel Love which created a national sensation; and the murder of William Terriss, slain by a fellow actor at the stage door of the Adelphi Theatre. These stories, and many more, are played out against the physical geography of the Strand - entertainment venues such as the Coal Hole, the Cyder Cellars, the Tivoli Music Hall and the Adelphi, Gaiety and Strand theatres; vari-ous taverns, oyster bars, barbers' shops, tobacconists; the ancient and disreputable area of Holywell Street and Wych Street; and, below all, the dark, subterranean world of the Adelphi Arches The Strand is one of London's most iconic streets - today the bustling and thriving home of West End theatres and the luxurious Savoy hotel; in the Victorian era, the Strand was a much more seedy and destitute part of the city. Barry Anthony here explores the criminal and socially subversive behaviour which abounded in and around the Victorian Strand. He introduces us to a vast range of personalities - from prostitutes, confidence tricksters, vagrants and cadgers to the actors, comedians and music hall stars who trod the boards of the Strand's early theatres.--Provided by publisher Read more... Abstract: A dazzling history of Victorian London's theatre scene involving a larger than life cast of actors, tricksters, impresarios, prostitutes, comedians and more Read more... Cover; Praise for Chaplin's Music Hall, also by Barry Anthony; Title Page; Copyright Page; Contents; List of Illustrations; Timeline; 1. Where's Troy?; 2. The Disappearance of Love; 3. The Dark Arches; 4. The Lord Chief Baron of the Coal Hole; 5. Old Stock and Fancy Goods; 6. The Importance of Being Ernest ... and Frederick; 7. Sam and Maud; 8. Kicking Over the Traces; 9. A Peep into the Unknown; 10. Looking for Mugs in the Strand; 11. The Casebook of Maurice Moser; 12. Alias Jack the Ripper; 13. Crystals of Morphine; 14. An Adelphi Drama; 15. Madame St John; 16. The Backside of St Clement's "The Strand is one of London's most iconic streets - today the bustling and thriving home of West End theatres and the luxurious Savoy hotel; in the Victorian era, the Strand was a much more seedy and destitute part of the city. Barry Anthony here explores the criminal and socially subversive behaviour which abounded in and around the Victorian Strand. He introduces us to a vast range of personalities - from prostitutes, confidence tricksters, vagrants and cadgers to the actors, comedians and music hall stars who trod the boards of the Strand's early theatres."--Bloomsbury Publishing.