A community event on Cato Street will mark 200 years since the Cato Street Conspiracy was discovered there.
The free event will shed light on the story behind the Cato Street Conspiracy and recreate an 1820s street scene outside the house where the conspirators were arrested. Organised by a local resident and supported by Marble Arch BID the event aims to raise awareness of the little-known, audacious plot to murder the Prime Minister and his cabinet 200 years ago.
The Conspiracy discovered 1820
Performers in period dress and a specially created soundscape will take Cato Street back to 1820. An authentic vintage horse-drawn tram will be giving rides around the block. There will be traditional food and drinks available from a street vendor and Regency-era children’s games on the street.
A recording will tell the story of the Cato Street Conspiracy outside the very house where the conspirators met and the plot was foiled, which bears a blue plaque. History boards will give the background to the plot and display drawings, images and contemporary newspaper reports.
Local school children have been invited to enter an art competition inspired by the story, entries will be displayed in the window of Cube Gallery on Crawford Place and prizes awarded on the day.
Everyone is encouraged to wear period costume (think Jane Austen!) and there will be a prize for best dressed.
This outdoors event on Cato Street is free admission. Watch for updates online: hdra.xyz/catostreetconspiracy
Later on a one-man play about the Cato Street Conspiracy will be performed in the nearby Duke of York pub at 3:00pm (sold out) and 5:00pm. Tickets are £7.50 and available from Eventbrite. Both the Duke of York and the Lord Wargrave pub will be selling special Conspiracy cocktails and mocktails, serving traditional food and hosting old-style singalongs.
The free admission anniversary event has been organised by local resident, Caroline Friedman of Harrowby and District Residents Association and supported by Marble Arch London BID as well as local businesses and retailers.
Read the story of the Cato Street Conspiracy on our Culture Blog.
