The Muriel Matters Society, the Francis Routh Trust, and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London Present:

Dr Naomi Paxton’s
Behind the Nightlight: Quaint beasts in an Edwardian nursery
Wednesday 12 November 2025
Club for Acts and Actors, 20 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HP

Join variety artiste Ada Campe, pianist Sarah Rose, and cabaret legend Dusty Limits for a very special revival of a 1912 viral literary sensation – the whimsical imagination of a three-year-old called Joan – set to music by Liza Lehmann, one of the most prolific Edwardian female composers. Ada will recite, Sarah will play, and Dusty will lead a sketching workshop in which you can explore your own interpretations of the fantastical creatures that emerge Behind the Nightlight.

This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 6 – 15 November 2025. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy.

‘As Being Human Festival events are free, not everyone who asks for tickets comes to our events. To make sure we have a full house, we allocate more tickets than there are seats/places. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, so please arrive in good time for the start of the event.’

Free Event, but Bookings Essential at: https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/events/behind-nightlight-quaint-beasts-edwardian-nursery

WEDNESDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2025
8:30-10:00pm

Club for Acts and Actors
20 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HP