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Latest Episodes:

Georgiana and Diana Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

This week we look at Princess Diana and (more closely) her 18th Century forebear/ancestor, Georgiana, and reflect on what it is to be a woman in the full glare of the media and public view. Hosted by Shama Rahman.

Parallel Lives written by Holly Harland and performed by Dame Joanna Lumley [Kensington Palace and Devonshire House, Central London]
She Had to Sit on the Floor written by Holly Harland and performed by Zak Ghazi-Torbati [Tavistock Street, Covent Garden]
Votes for Kisses written by Holly Harland and performed by Kate Reid [Henrietta St, Southampton St, Tavistock Street and the Piazza, Covent Garden]

Sound editing by Viel Richardson.

Covent Garden in WW2 Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

In this week’s episode, hosted by Stephen Fry, discover how Covent Garden adapted to the trials and tribulations thrown it’s way by Britain’s fight against Nazi Germany:

Put on Your Dancing Shoes written and performed by Joanna Clarke [The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden]
Mrs Smith’s Coffin written by Joanna Clarke and performed by Stephen Fry [Dawlish, Devon and Covent Garden, London]
Keeping Calm and Carrying On written by Joanna Clarke and performed by Jasmine Elcock [The Piazza and Bow Street, Covent Garden]

Sound editing by Will Jacob.

Eighteenth Century Vice Industry Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

In the first episode of our second season, hosted by the celebrated Dame Joanna Lumley, we look at Covent Garden's vice industry in the eighteenth century:

Haddock Hogarth and Harlots written by Jasmine Silk and performed by Lulu Freeman [Covent Garden Piazza]
Mrs Jenkins' Flogging House written by Joanna Clarke and performed by Stephen Fry [27 Catherine Street]
Carnal Pleasures written by Robbie Stamp and performed by Kate Reid [The Shakespeare Tavern, Covent Garden Piazza]

Sound editing by Will Jacob.

Warning, these stories contain adult themes.

Eighteenth Century Black London Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Three percent of London’s population was black in the eighteenth century. Your host Stephen Fry introduces:

An Enslaved Child and His Two Inheritances written by Milo Harries and performed by Cassius Konneh [17 Gough Square, Holborn, London]
A Genius in Bondage written by Sara Fleming and performed by Jasmine Elcock [the Tower of London]
Beethoven Could Not Believe His Ears written by James Rampton and performed by Stephen Fry [Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Covent Garden, London and The Augarten Concert Hall in Vienna]

Sound editing by Viel Richardson.

Oscar Wilde Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

“The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius”. This week we look at the downfall of Oscar Wilde with host Dame Joanna Lumley:

Intrigue for Intrigue’s Sake written by Jasmine Silk and performed by Stephen Fry [Mayfair, Picadilly and Covent Garden]
Still the Sight to See in London written by Jasmine Silk and performed by Stephen Fry [Holding Cell, Magistrate’s Court, Bow Street]
From Gaol to Exile written by Jasmine Silk and performed by Stephen Fry [31 Upper Bedford Place, Bloomsbury]

Sound editing by Will Jacob.

Famous in Their Time Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

“Fame will go by and, so long, I’ve had you, Fame”. Host Dr Shama Rahman looks at people who were famous in their time, but have faded from memory, with:

The Diva and Her Diamonds written by Sarah Fleming and performed by Dame Joanna Lumley [Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London]
Not a Page in Petticoats written and performed by Kate Reid [Theatre Royal, Vere Street, London]
I Have Been a Slave, I Know What Slaves Feel written by James Rampton, performed by Jasmine Elcock [7 Solly Terrace, Pentonville, London]

Sound editing by Will Jacob.

Only One Hundred Generations Ago Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

For this week’s episode we journey back in time with host Dame Joanna Lumley to Anglo-Saxon London, with:

Wattle, Wyrms and Wyrd Sisters written by Robbie Stamp and performed by Shama Rahman [under the foundations of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London]
The Lay of Nine Herbs written by Robbie Stamp and performed by Olivia Bell [Maiden Lane, Covent Garden]
Run For Your Life written by Robbie Stamp and performed by Lulu Freeman [earthworks under the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London]

Sound editing by Will Jacob.

Three Bobs Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

This week’s episode does exactly what it says on the tin, as host Stephen Fry bobs about with:

Go On Then, Impress Us written by James Rampton and performed by Cassius Konneh [Peckham Manor School, south east London and the Lyceum Ballroom, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London]
Not Your Usual Busker written by James Rampton and performed by Dame Joanna Lumley [near Covent Garden tube station, London]
The Bob That Changed the World written by James Rampton and performed by Shama Rahman [108 Bond Street, London]

Sound editing by Viel Richardson.

Loveable Rogues Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, with host Dame Joanna Lumley, we look at seventeenth and eighteenth century celebrity criminals, with:

The Highwayman of Hearts written by Olivia Bell and performed by Joanna Clarke. [Hampstead Heath, Chandos Place and St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden]
The Pregnant Pickpocket with Four Hands written by Olivia Bell and performed by Lulu Freeman. [Lodgings in Long Acre and in and around Covent Garden]
Somone’s Sneakin’ Round the Corner written by Olivia Bell and performed by Zak Ghazi-Torbati. [The Black Lion Pub, Drury Lane, various London gaols and Tyburn]

Sound editing by Viel Richardson.

Colonnades and Cabbages Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, hosted by Robbie Stamp, we look at the history of the Covent Garden Piazza, with:

This Beautiful Fruitful Rectangle written by Robbie Stamp, performed by Stephen Fry [Covent Garden Piazza, London]
A Much Tidier View for the Duke written by Joanna Clarke, performed by Jasmine Elcock [Covent Garden Piazza, London]
Concrete Garden Anyone? written by Joanna Clarke, performed by Dame Joanna Lumley [Covent Garden Piazza, London]

Sound editing by Will Jacob.

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