Ghosts of Fleet Street Hallowe'en Special
Thu 31 Oct 2024 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM GMT
Stationers Hall Court, EC4M 7DD
Description
Discover how, along a muddy, rambling thoroughfare beyond the reeking River Fleet, print blossomed from a medieval mystery into a mind-moulding instrument of mass communication, and meet the ghosts of ghoulish characters instrumental in making Fleet Street “the nerve-centre of the world”, including the octopus-wielding Father of Fleet Street Wynkyn de Worde, murderous state censor Sir Roger l’Estrange, wizard-apothecaries, the ghosts of slaughtered journalists and the spirit of Hodge the Cat.
With actors and musicians, and servings of delicious blood wine.
- Read the Guardian‘s review of the tour here.
In 1495, an eccentric octopus-loving Walloon called Wynkyn de Worde set up a cranky printing press at the sign of the creaking sun in St Bride’s Churchyard. 250 years later, Fleet Street had blossomed into the nerve-centre of the world’s biggest and most influential mass media, churning out hundreds of newspapers each week. By the 20th century, every major UK newspaper had its headquarters on Fleet Street. And its ancient taverns were packed with impoverished hack writers and inkies.
Fleet Street came to be associated with knowledge, enlightenment, and democracy. It has been hailed as the “Palladium of English Liberty”.
But today, Fleet Street is a ghost of its former self. Not a single newspaper operates from the vicinity any longer. The thumping, hammering and squelching of printing presses has been replaced by the sound of urban ennui. But you can relive it all, just for a day.
Beginning at Stationers’ Hall, the medieval centre of printing, this dramatic tour will take you through 600 years of bribery, gossip, and booze on the Street of Ink. You’ll encounter the ghosts of Fleet Street denizens including Samuel Johnson, Hodge the Cat, Daniel Defoe, Kitty Fisher, the Rhinoceros of Ludgate Hill and perhaps even Rebekah Brooke being tried at the Old Bailey. Sweeney Todd will not be appearing in this tour.
From Unreal City Audio as recommended by the Guardian, Telegraph, BBC, and Culture Critic. The tour lasts around 2hrs.
Terms and Conditions
- Unreal City Audio events are non-refundable. But in exceptional or unforeseen circumstances, tickets can be transferred to later events, or you may exchange your ticket for a gift voucher.
- In rare instances, events may be subject to changes of venue.
Location
Stationers Hall Court, EC4M 7DD