The
general notion that Victorian London was tightly zipped up, prudish, and
window-dressed with flowered chintz curtains will be shattered with this
program on the popular entertainments of the day. While the 'front cover' of the Victorians
would lead one to believe that life went on in a most proper way, there were
many activities that belie that facade.
For the three million Londoners in the 1850s, there were the noisy and
sometimes bawdy entertainments such as opium dens, penny gaffs, music halls,
freak shows, circuses and wax museums. With Linda Putnam as your instructor learn
how these events fit into the culture of the time and we'll look at the
evangelical attitudes toward entertainment and pleasure, and at the attempts to
squelch these activities.
Registration
is $8 member; $10 non-member.
