Back in the dark days of Lockdown number 2 at the end of 2020 Lottie and Linda were enjoying the TV series Harlots.  Whilst chatting about it Lottie remembered seeing the blue plaque that is dedicated to Priss Fotheringham, the "second best whore in London".  And the idea for a podcast episode was born!

For reasons many and varied it's taken us a whole year to bring the episode to you and we do hope you enjoy it.  It's not been all beer and skittles (or ping pong balls!) for sex workers through the ages, though.  In fact the life for the (mainly women) involved in the trade is often very grim indeed. More than any other episode this one has brought home to us just how little anything changes from one century to the next.  We are very grateful to Moira Buffini, writer of Harlots and Lyn Brown MP for their contributions.

Further reading:
Nell Gwyn, by Charles Beauclerk
City of Sin, London and its Vices, by Catharine Arnold
Madams - Bawds and Brothel Keepers of London, by Fergus Linnane
An English Madam:  The Life and Work of Cynthia Payne, by Paul Bailey

Interesting Viewing:
Harlots, by Alison Newman & Moira Buffini available on DVD and to stream
Personal Services, by David Leland, available on DVD and to stream


This episode:
Hosts:  Lottie Walker & Linda Hansell
Guests:  Moira Buffini  & Lyn Brown MP
Farewell to Bankside read by Steve Taylor
Editor:  Jacob Taylor


If you'd like to help us in our work to keep the podcast going do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to either:
 
 https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
or
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
where you can donate.  This is all an expensive business and even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio.  We really appreciate and are so grateful for all your support.

And don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you!  Find us at:
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https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
 

Support the show

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.

If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

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https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Amanda Ira Aldridge, one of the most important female composers of the 20th century has been all but forgotten.

Daughter of the groundbreaking actor Ira Aldridge,  Amanda, was also a singer and in her latter years a voice teacher.  One of her pupils was Paul Robeson who approached her when he cane to  the UK to play Othello.  He was only the second black actor to play the role.  Amanda's father Ira had been the first!
Under the name Montague Ring, Amanda was a composer of many songs and her instrumental music was used in the silent movies.

Image courtesy of Stephen Bourne.


Guest:  Stephen Bourne
Stephen Bourne is a writer, film and social historian specialising in black heritage and gay culture. His best-known book is Black Poppies – Britain’s Black Community and the Great War.   Stephen's most recent publication is Deep Are the Roots , which  celebrates the pioneers of black British theatre, beginning in 1825 when Ira Aldridge made history as the first black actor to play Shakespeare’s Othello in the United Kingdom, and ending in 1975 with the success of Britain’s first black-led theatre company.  Stephen has written extensively on Amanda Ira Aldridge.

https://stephenbourne.co.uk/
For a list of Stephen's books:
https://stephenbourne.co.uk/books/
Follow Stephen on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/blackpoppies14

Featuring:  Patricia Hammond
https://patriciahammond.com/
youtube.com/patriciahammondsongs

Patricia's book on female composers features a chapter dedicated to Amanda Ira Aldridge
https://www.valleypressuk.com/book/126/she_wrote_the_songs
Follow Patricia on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/hammondpatricia

Music:
Patricia Hammond, Voice
Matt Redman, zither banjo
Andrea Kmecova,  piano

Host:  Lottie Walker
Editor:  Jacob Taylor

And a note from us:
Thank you for listening.   If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to :
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
if you're more c

Support the show

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.

If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
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https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre
https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

For this special episode  we've moved away from talking about our long forgotten heroes of history to talk to our very much up to date  award winning theatre-maker - and hero -  Christopher Green.

Christopher is a huge advocate of theatre as an experience and of the "all the world's a stage" ethos.  In this conversation we talk about experiential theatre, site-specific productions and  why  clear instructions for both audience and performers would make the theatre experience more accessible and  comfortable for everyone.

We also talk about Christopher's creations Ida Barr and Tina C, and, of course Fred Barnes, the self-destructive music hall star who Christopher has played on several occasions.

Follow Christopher on Twitter:  @kit_green

http://christophergreen.net/

https://www.artbanklive.com/

https://www.duckie.co.uk/

Guest:  Christopher Green
Host:  Lottie Walker

Editor:  Jacob Taylor

And a note from us:
Thank you for listening.   If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to :
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefirepodcast

Support the show

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.

If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre
https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Fred Barnes was a huge star in his time, but his fame, fortune and undeniable glamour hid a tragic story and self-destructive nature.

Christopher Green and John Orchard talk to Lottie about Fred Barnes'  tragic life and death, how he has been almost written out of history and their own projects to bring him back into popular culture.

A blue plaque to Fred Barnes will be unveiled on 18th October 2021 at his home  - 22, Clifton Villas, Maida Vale, London W9.

Further Reading and information about Music Hall:
http://www.britishmusichallsociety.com/
Twitter:  @musichallsoc

Three Queer Lives:  An Alternative Biography of Fred Barnes, Naomi Jacob and Arthur Marshall by Paul Bailey
Published by Hamish Hamilton

And about our guests:

http://christophergreen.net/
Twitter: @kit_green

https://www.duckie.co.uk/

https://www.singalongajohn.com/
Twitter:  Sing-Along-A-John

Music:  John Orchard & Christopher Green

Audio of "Music Hall Monster" by permission of Christopher Green

Host:  Lottie Walker
Editor:  Jacob Taylor

And a note from us:
Thank you for listening.   If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to :

https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre

if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/

or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre

Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefirepodcast

Support the show

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.

If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre
https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Vesta Tilley was possibly the most famous male impersonator of all time and a huge star of the Victorian Music Hall.  The girl from Worcester, who was treading the boards from the age of 3 was also the wife of an MP and "Britain's best recruiting sergeant" during WW1.

In this episode Ann-Lindsey Wickens tells us what it's like to portray this iconic figure, and Vesta's history is told - in brief by Chris Jaeger, author of "Vesta" the one woman play about Lady De Fries as she became.

And we also hear from Jessica Dannheiser, composer of "Orchestral Portraits:  Seven Pioneering Women" about the inspiration Vesta provided.  Huge thanks to Jessica and to Audio Network for permission to use this music.

To find out more about Vesta Tilley & Music Hall:

http://www.britishmusichallsociety.com/
http://www.vestatilley.kk5.org/
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/

To find out more about our guests:

http://www.jessicadannheisser.com/
Twitter: @jessdannheiser

https://www.godauk.org/chrisjaeger
https://www.worcesterfestival.co.uk/
Twitter: @chrisjaegerWF

https://katapultproductions.co.uk/
https://www.golr.org.uk/

Host:  Lottie Walker
Editor:  Jacob Taylor

And a note from us:
Thank you for listening.   If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to :

https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre

if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/

or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre

Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard

Support the show

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.

If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre
https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

"The Diary of a Nobody" has long been a favourite book of both Tim Shaw and Andy Smith.  They've seen it on stage, listened to it on the radio and, of course, read it.

So one rainy August day in Edinburgh after seeing Rodney Bewes in his on man version of 3 Men in a Boat and over a small sherry or two they hit upon the idea of adapting Charles Pooter's  diary into a one man play.  Andy reprised his role as Pooter for the specially recorded version of the play for this podcast,  And here he and Tim, a genuine Grossmith enthusiast  talk about the process of adapting the book and their shared love of the piece.

Lots of additional information about George Grossmith can be found on our podcast episode 15.

Guests:  Andy Smith & Tim Shaw
Host:  Lottie Walker

Edited by:  Jacob Taylor
Music:  James Hall

https://www.jamesahall.co.uk/


And a note from us:
Thank you for listening.   If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to :

https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre

if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/

or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre

Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.


And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefirepodcast

Support the show

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.

If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre
https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

This season's audio drama is :
The Diary of a Nobody, by George & Weedon Grossmith, said by Evelyn Waugh to be the "funniest book ever written".

The book has never been out of print and is available at all good bookshops.

This adaptation is by Tim Shaw.  It is directed by Steve Taylor

Charles Pooter - Andy Smith
Carrie - Lottie Walker
Lupin - Steve Taylor

Studio Recording,  Production  & Editing- Harry Jacobs
Assisted by  - Jacob Taylor

Music - James Hall
https://www.jamesahall.co.uk/



And a note from us:
Thank you for listening.   If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to :

https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre

if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/

or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre

Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.


Don'tAnd finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc

Support the show

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.

If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre
https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

George Grossmith created many of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic baritone roles and was known for his delivery of the famous patter songs.

He was also a writer and composer who entertained royalty in the parlours of palaces and a journalist who spent time as a Bow Street Court reporter.  And, together with his brother Weedon he was responsible for producing "The Diary of a Nobody", which has never been out of print.  It was hailed by Evelyn Waugh as being the "funniest book ever written".  And will be our audio drama for this series.

Stephen Wade's career has mirrored that of George in many ways and he talks to us about the strange similarities they share as well as George's life and work amidst the backdrop of the Victorian era.

Stephen's biography of George (and indeed this conversation) mention in passing many of the great and the good of the era from Henry Irving to Dan Leno.


Guest:  Stephen Wade
Host:  Lottie Walker
Editor:  Jacob Taylor

Find out more about Stephen at:
https://stephen-wade.com/

Other Related websites:
ttps://www.gilbertandsullivansociety.org.uk
https://www.idler.co.uk/
http://www.doylycarte.org.uk/
https://www.simonbutteriss.com/home.html
https://www.dalesman.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/CoilyDartTheatre
https://www.gsarchive.net/

And a note from us:
Thank you for listening.   If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to :

https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre

if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/

or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre

Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.  And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

Support the show

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.

If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre
https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

The original "greatest showman" was not P.T. Barnum, it was a chap from Newcastle Under Lyme in Staffordshire, who went by the name Philip Astley.  Astley was a soldier and talented equestrian who went on to invent what we now recognise as the modern day circus.  His story is one of the many that prove that truth is stranger (certainly more remarkable) than fiction.

Andrew Van Buren hails from the world of circus and a very theatrical family.  He's a true all round entertainer and is passionate about both his hometown of Newcastle Under Lyme and the heritage of his industry.  So who better to spearhead the "Philip Astley Project", the initiative that is helping Astley do for Newcastle what Shakespeare did for Stratford...?

Andrew talks to us about Astley's history, the beginnings of the van Buren family's showbusiness life and the incredible journey he's taken to get Astley recognised - and to get Newcastle back on the map.

And if that's not enough, Chris Barltrop, actor and ringmaster extraoirdinaire gives us a taster of his performance as "The Audacious Mr Astley"

Further info:

Guest:  Andrew van Buren
Featuring: Chis Barltrop

Host:  Lottie Walker
Editor:  Jacob Taylor

Andrew van Buren
https://www.vanburen.org.uk/

Philip Astley Project
https://www.philipastley.org.uk/

Chris Barltrop - the Centre for Circus Culture
https://www.centreforcircusculture.org/

Andy Edwards:
https://www.cornoviiedwards.com/home

Monte Carlo International Circus Festival
https://www.montecarlofestival.mc/en/

AstleyFest 2021
https://www.newcastleunderlyme.org/events/2198/

Gandey's Circus
https://www.gandeyscircus.com/

Karl Shaw: - The First Showman, The Extraordinary Mr. Astley
https://thesusijnagency.com/karl-shaw/

Follow Andrew & Chris on Twitter:
@VanBurenOrg
@Astley250


And a note from us:
Thank you for listening.   If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going and the memories of all these lovely people alive, do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to :

https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre

if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/

or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre

Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the r

Support the show

Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.

If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
https://linktr.ee/BlueFireTheatreCo

And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre
https://www.bsky.app/@bluefiretheatre.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/@bluefiretheatrecompany3735/videos

Margaret Monod talks about her blog, "Into the Limelight" and her fabulous collection of Music Hall postcards .




Today's Podcast:
Host:  Lottie
Guest: Margaret Monod
Edited By:  Jacob Taylor
Music: James Hall

This is a special bonus episode broadcast specially for the British Music Hall Society's Music Hall & Variety Day

Follow Margaret on Twitter:  @monomaniablogs

To find out more about Music Hall check out:

The British Music Hall Society
http://www.britishmusichallsociety.com/

The PlayBill Podcast
https://mail8935.wixsite.com/montagueandtweed

Music Hall Alice Blog
https://musichallalice.wordpress.com/


If you'd like to help us in our work in keeping the podcast going  and our shows on the road do please consider becoming a patron.  It's really easy to do, just go to either:

https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
or
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
where you can donate.   Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful

Or donate via our website, where you can find out much more about us and the other work we do
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/

And don't forget to follow us on social media.  We'd love to hear from you!  Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.facebook.com/bluefiretheatre
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc

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Published: Apr. 05, 2021 @11AM Edit

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If you'd like to help us keep the studio lights on please click the "support the podcast" link above.

Details of all our upcoming shows and how to access our albums etc are here:
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And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:

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https://www.tiktok.com/@bluefiretheatre
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