Humorous Lecture Series

Emperor Norton's Victoriana:

Dastardly Dickensians & Other Eccentrics of the 1800's

Emperor of the United States - Joshua Norton the 1st
Visit with the beloved eccentric of San Francisco's Gold Rush Era as he presents a bevy of tales about equally whimsical folks.

Ranging from domestic life in America and Albion, to the far-flung reaches of Queen Victoria's realm, Emperor Norton shares stories and images contemporaneous to the works of Dickens to illustrate the seedy side of life during the Industrial Revolution.

A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption from greed and misanthropy, retold by Tiny Tim (all grown-up and not-at-all dead, thank you very much).

Accompanied by pictures and music, Tim is delighted to share an animated reading what Mr. Dickens called a "ghost of a tale" in the hopes that the spirit of Christmas Past, Present, and Future shall strive within us all – all the year 'round!

No humbug here, just joy and good will! Time permitting, perhaps a parlour game of Minister's Cat!

Edgar A. Poe's Tales of Terror

Fearsome good fun with classic works of horror by renowned master of the macabre, Edgar Poe, presented by Poe's Greatest Detractor - Rufus W. Griswold.

Scenes from The Black Cat, The Tell-Tale heart, The Cask of Amontillado, and more!

During the performance, Rufus will be pleased to share scurrilous tales of Edgar's youth, and field questions from all and sundry on topics rich and Poe.

Stand Up Tragedy - The Underside of History

Elizabethan England's greatest actor of tragedy, Ned Alleyn, presents a hysterically historical discourse on Tudor life as you ne'er knew it! 

Ned will regale the crowd with embarrassingly true tales of the Queen, his own rivalry with Shakespeare, and other topics ranging from hygiene & health, romance & religion, science, superstition, and Shakespeare's stage!

At the close, there will be time for queries from the esteemed audience, and even a feat or two of juggling!