The choice of background music to the introduction and closing was due to its popularity in the Victorian era as a romantic piece. It could hardly be popular today, other than in repeats of the TV comedy classic “Open All Hours”. It may even have been sung in the homes of the exploited families you mention in their happier moments. It is indeed sad that the era of the industrial revolution brought so much hardship to London and industrial England. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that this hardship did not go unnoticed and the recognition of it has resulted in a vastly improved education system, social security and working conditions. I can only be grateful for the efforts of Victorian journalists and authors such as Mayhew and Dickens in publicising the misery. I am extremely saddened that my ancestors suffered horribly from working with cordite in munitions manufacture and gas poisoning; yet no amount of anger will change those events in history and is futile. Our disgust with the inhumanities of the past must be focussed on prevention of similar mistakes through scientific and medical advances together with preserving the freedom of the press to openly publicise and shame offenders involved in shortcomings in the law and regulations governing our civilisation.

The sequence of character portrayal in the original 49 minute broadcast is as follows: 1. A False Eye Maker 2. A Pure-Finder 3. A Coster Lad 4. A Coster Girl 5. A Microscope Exhibitor 6. A New-Milk Seller 7. The Queen's Ratcatcher 8. A Street Clown

@@christophersitton953 Thanks 😊 I was just wondering if you knew the name of the gramophone recording which played during the closing credits.

@@louisrelf5903 The opening title and credits music is "Alice, Where Art Thou", a Victorian parlour song. The performer's name is not known to me.

@@christophersitton953 Thank you - I found out the performer: Mischa Elman

Sadly, Mayhew's work has not been well covered by the modern media. At least we have these few reconstructed interviews to give us some visual insight into life in Victorian London.

​@@christophersitton953 It never was well received - same old story. It serves those in power to demonise the poor and the needy. Heaven help them if one day we realise the divide is encouraged - there are far more of us them then there are of them. Fabulous series, thank you. ❤

Her pride in her limited education is a testament to her upbringing and Sarah Stevens does a first class interpretation not only of the recorded words but the mixture of confidence and insecurities behind the coster girl's replies. Yes RJ H, heartbreaking is a good description.

There is a man called Alf who has a slot on TRE radio Spain , who talks just like her , in fact he is far worse but , the radio station welcomes his points of view on a points of view program ! He is utterly cringe worthy , unlike the girl here , Alf acts up his dialect to the extreme.......

Ian Hay Indeed!

A coster girl would sell fresh produce from markets in central London by walking the streets with them and calling out the name of the produce she was selling at that time. She would either carry a large basket or push a barrow. The produce would have included fruit and vegetables, fish, in the cooler months and possibly flowers. In this interview the girl refers to "sprats", a small fish quite popular with poorer folk and also sought after by the Lord Mayor who appears to have been able to procure a supply out of season for his blanket (banquet).

Christopher Sitton Thank you for this information.

I'm glad you enjoyed it Sasha!

It would be very interesting. However, in the movie portrayals of the phenomenon the traveller is not allowed to change history and can only observe. That would be good enough for me!

It is my dream to time traveler back in time I’d like to be in a city pre Victorian times , like be the life smell the smells . I have it planned in my head the only thing I take is a bit of gold that I could sell so I wasn’t completely skint

Where do these stories/profiles come from?

@@avalondreaming1433 The original material is published in a book "London Labour and the London Poor" by Henry Mayhew.

Henry and his brother Gus, Augustus if you prefer, collaborated in the research

Congratulations on being my first subscriber Becky! You are most welcome and I'm glad to have made you happy by posting the extracts. It's a shame there were no more attempts to portray Mayhew's endeavours. I do hope somebody takes up the challenge!

@@christophersitton953 woo hoo! I've never been a first subscriber before! Thanks again for posting and bringing this amazing book back to life ")

Depends which part of London you’re talking about… As this video proves London was definitely divided by class

Get your shots first

For me, its 17th century London