Writer and broadcaster Michael Pointon presents a long-overdue tribute to a stage and screen actor/manager whose work has been unfairly neglected by the British theatrical establishment since his death in 1956.

Slaughter gained a cult following when he leased the Elephant and Castle Theatre in the early 1920s. He stated: “The revival of the old popular drama after the war is what I regard as my most important work. I always play them straight, you know, I have never burlesqued them. That would be madness”. The Times commented: “His audience wanted cold-blooded crime and Slaughter made it his duty to provide it in abundance”.

Tod Slaughter performed in films of several of his ‘blood-and-thunder’ stage productions and was praised by Graham Greene as “one of our finest living actors”.

We will show extracts of some of his melodramas together with informal footage of Slaughter offstage, all supporting a rare screening of his version of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (1936). Come and discover why his form of theatre had such an appeal to the public.

Doors open at 19.00, for a 19.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licenced cafe/bar.

TICKETS & PRICING

Spring Season 2015 ticketing applies.

Advance tickets may be purchased from Billetto, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours.