Victorian London's criminal underworld

Empire of Shadows Tue 14th Sept 1.30pm Free

This talk explores Victorian London's criminal underworld through contemporary representations and popular melodramas in which the metropolis was reproduced on-stage. It will investigate the notorious subterranean locations believed to be occupied by a vast criminal and outcast population. The talk will also reveal the symbolism of London 's depths in the nineteenth century as the locus of buried desires, a dark mirror to the world above ground and a lost realm of magic and superstition in contrast to the daylight city of rationalism and progress.

Part of the Illumini Event 2010 presents Secret Subterranean London. A week long exhibition and talks, tours with artists and performers on the subject of subterranean London. Most events are free