Halloween History Showoff at the Amersham Arms

Event information

What happens if you fill a pub with clever and lovely people then invite loads of amazing experts on the past to entertain them?

Join us at the Amersham Arms on Thursday 29 October to hear Goldsmiths, University of London historians, psychologists, sociologists (and a rogue press officer) delve into the weird and wonderful side of history.

Our Goldsmiths speakers each have nine minutes with a mic to take you on a high-speed dash through their chosen subject. Expect laughs, facts that sound totally made up but aren't, and loads of terrible Powerpoints.

'Geek comedian' and compere Steve Cross will be venturing south of the river to keep everyone to time. He used to work at UCL, but we won't hold it against him.

Tickets are just £6, with all profits from sales being donated to refugee crisis appeals.

Doors open at 6.30pm. Show starts at 7.

The line-up includes:

* Kat Jungnickel (Sociology) demonstrating the genius way Victorian women turned their massive skirts into practical cycling gear.

* Duncan Colvin (Psychology) explaining what really goes on when you use a Ouija board. Spoiler: It probably isn't ghosts.

* Sarah Elizabeth Cox (definitely not an academic) chatting about what the Elephant Man, a Prime Minister's assassin, and some objects found in unexpected parts of the anatomy have in common. She's got a good photo of Bradley Cooper.

* Alex Rhys-Taylor (Sociology) trawling through the transnational history of seafood in London, this great plaice of ours.

* Ariel Hessayon (History) narrating crazy tales of ancient visionaries and prophets.

* John Price (History) revealing the amusingly idiosyncratic underbelly of Victorian and Edwardian heroism.

* Sarah Lambert (History) on the destruction/preservation of minority cultural heritage going back to classical times. Includes pictures of elephants.

TWO NEW SPEAKERS! It's just got a lot more Halloweeny..

* Justin Woodman (Anthropology) - an expert on H.P. Lovecraft and his influence on contemporary occultism/paranormal beliefs

* Will Cenci (Public Engagement) - knows some things about magic circles.

Line-up is subject to change.