Theatrical walking tour of Fleet Street

New Posted on 10/08/2012

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A new walking tour of London's famous Fleet Street, has managed to combine music, drama and storytelling in order to bring its history back to life.

The tour, 'Hawkers, Harlots and Hacks', will give visitors the chance to meet the famous faces that have graced Fleet Street over its long history, including Lord Alfred Northcliffe - first publisher of the Daily Mail - and Sir Roger L'Estrange, 16th century licensor of the press.

The tour departs from the site of a printing shop in Stationers Hall Court, opened in 1495 by Wynkyn de Worde (aka the father of Fleet Street, who made its name synonymous with printing and publishing at the end of the 15th century). From there, it weaves in and out of cobbled alleyways and churchyards to bring to life the history of the free press.

Though Fleet Street is no longer the buzzing journalistic hub that it used to be, Dr Matt Green and his small troupe of historians, musicians and actors aim to take tourists back in time. Actors in full costume reveal Fleet Street's past, with authentic sights, songs and storytelling.

On the itinerary for the two-hour long tour is the site of the Daily Courant, Britain's first newspaper, as well as an encounter with some of the infamous newspaper hawkers - aggressive street vendors who would attempt to attract buyers with loud cries of the day's headlines. Visitors even get the chance to throw rotten tomatoes at a slanderous journalist in the stocks, and receive a free copy of the article that put him there.

The next 'Hawkers, Harlots & Hacks' tour will take place on 1 September at 3:00pm and departs from Stationers' Hall Court off Ave Maria Lane. Tickets cost £12.50, with a booking fee via the website. After 1 September, it will run on a fortnightly basis alongside the company's Coffeehouse Tour.

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