Cleveland Street - the Musical
Musical in 2 Acts by book and lyrics by Glenn Chandler, music by Matt Devereaux
Above The Stag, London - 28 April - 29 May, 2011
Synopsis
Cleveland Street The Musical tells the story of the scandal in 1889 when Telegraph Messenger boys were discovered selling sexual services to members of the aristocracy at a house in Cleveland Street, London. One of the clients who regularly visited the male brothel at 19 Cleveland Street was Lord Arthur Somerset, Private Equerry to the then Prince of Wales. Another - reputedly, though it was never proved - was Queen Victoria's grandson, Prince Albert Victor Edward, known more popularly as Prince Eddy. The whiff of Royal connections was enough to set the machinery of the law in motion, and the brothel was shut down, with numerous people escaping across the Channel to France.
Principal Musical Numbers
- Companionship
- There ought to be a law
- Two madams
- Nothing like a lad
- Mr White
- Rum, buggery and the lash
Cast:
- Henry Newlove
- Thomas Swinscow
- Charles Hammond
- Inspector Abberline
- John Saul
- Lord Euston
- Lord Arthur Somerset
- "Mr White"
- Madame Caroline
- Ernest Thickbroom