Show notes
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the first Sunday of the month, this is the HA’PENNY HORRIDS theme show, featuring a few chapters of SWEENEY TODD, a true-crime story or two from the Penny Dreadful era, and various other grisly tidbits. Next week, the theme changes:Next Sunday will be a “Twopenny Torrids” theme episode — as always on the fourth Sunday of the month;The “Sixpenny Spookies” theme episode comes out two weeks from now, on the first Sunday of the month; and finally—The “Graanum-gold Gothics” theme episode is scheduled for the second Sunday of next month. Then we’ll be right back around to the “Ha’penny Horrids” again, for the third Sunday of next month! ———— For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see pennydread.com/discord. ———— IN TODAY'S "HA’PENNY HORRORS" EPISODE:01:50: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY: It was 440 years ago today, on September 20, 1586, that Sir Anthony Babington was hanged, drawn and quartered for conspiring to murder Queen Elizabeth so that Mary Queen of Scots could take her throne. This was the conspiracy that led to Mary’s assassination as well.09:25: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chaptes 114-115: “Charley Green” leaves the shop as instructed, but then stops and peeps through the window to watch developments. Todd, after learning from the “farmer” that he is in London alone and no one at the inn he’s staying in knows he’s going to be shaved, gets excited and goes into the other room to get a “keener razor.” The moment the door closes, the “farmer” jumps out of the chair. He waits and watches as it rotates, bringing a matching chair up from under the floor; then he hops back into the chair and waits for Todd to come out…. To say that Todd is surprised to see him there, in the chair, face still lathered up, would be understating things a bit!38:40: HORRID BROADSIDE: “The Esher Tragedy: Six Children Murdered by their Mother.” (1854) Mary Ann Brough, the woman who had been Prince Edward’s wet nurse, snapped and murdered her six children with her husband’s razor.45:10: YE OLDE MURDERER’S ROOST: A true-crime tale drawn from the colorful history of old England. Today, it’s the story of George Price, a flashy manservant who found himself in a great position to move in on a wealthy widow … only problem was, he was already married. But, of course, that was nothing a little late-night wife-murder couldn’t fix …GLOSSARY OF EARLY-VICTORIAN SLANG USED IN THIS EPISODE:MILLERS: (from intro patter) Prizefighters.LADYBIRDS: (ibid) Socially flighty or promiscuous ladies.KNIGHTS OF THE BLADE: (ibid) Swaggering companions who are boastful of their prowess and may also claim a military rank — Captain, Major, Colonel — that they don’t really have a right to. FLASH OF LIGHTNING: (ibid) Glass of gin.SCRAGGED: (from Hanged Today) Executed by hanging.IN QUOD: (ibid) In gaol or prison.KNOWING CARDS: (from outro patter) Clever fellows who are not easily tricked.DING BOYS: (ibid) Rogue, knave, or sly fellow.VIRTUE REWARDED: (ibid) Nabbed by law enforcement or sentenced by a magistrate.JOCK GAGGERS: (ibid) Men who live on their romantic partners’ prostitution proceeds.COCK-CHAFERS: (ibid) Prostitutes.TRULLS: (ibid) Low-end prostitutes.NUNNERY: (ibid) A brothel. 18th BARON DUNWICH (ibid): A fictional title, adopted as a nod to Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany (Lord Dunsany) and a reference to “The Dunwich Horror” by H.P. Lovecraft.There are more! But we're out of space. For the complete glossary of flash-cant terms, plus art for various show elements, see pennydread.com/discord.
