Revisiting the ‘Murder, Mystery and History’ of London Pubs
Infamous murder cases and criminal proceedings from the 18th century will be re-enacted by a team of professional actors at the George on the Strand, 25 and 26 September from 7pm, as part of a project run by the University of Hertfordshire to promote the historic use of public houses.
Set in Georgian London, the audience will experience what it was like during the 18th and 19th century when pubs were used for petty sessions (the forerunner of magistrates’ courts) and coroners’ inquests. In keeping with history, the audience will be worked hard in their role as ‘jurors’, with the real-life outcomes of each trial being revealed at the end.
Owen Davies, Professor of Social History at the University of Hertfordshire said: “It is not widely known that pubs were used to host criminal trials and inquests in this way and we have worked incredibly hard to mimic every detail to give the audience an enjoyable and realistic experience.
“We hope to roll this project out wider with the aim to help reinstate the pub as a social centre. It would be a shame to loose these iconic buildings that form such a large part of our history.”
One trial sees a fast-paced historical reconstruction based on the 1815 case of Eliza Fenning – a young girl accused of administering poison with intent to murder – a crime punishable by public hanging.
For more information about either of the two events, and to book tickets, please visit:
https://pettysessions.eventbrite.co.uk/
https://coroner.eventbrite.co.uk/
The project, a collaboration between the University of Hertfordshire, London Historians and Twisted Events, is the first of its kind.
A video of a recent re-enactment staged in a Hertfordshire pub can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iBvXx_DKWg
For more information, to arrange interviews or to book media attendance for either evening, please contact Hannah Broady, University of Hertfordshire Press Office on 01707 284022, Email: h.broady@herts.ac.uk
Notes to Editor
About the University of Hertfordshire
The University is the UK’s leading business-facing university and an exemplar in the sector. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel.
The University of Hertfordshire is one of the region’s largest employers with over 2,650 staff and a turnover of almost £233 million.
With a student community of over 27,200 including more than 2,800 students from eighty-five different countries, the University has a global network of over 175,000 alumni.
It is also one of the top 100 universities in the world under 50 years old, according to the new Times Higher Education 100 under 50 rankings 2012.
For more information, please visit www.herts.ac.uk
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