LONDON.- Soho Stories knows where you are, what street youre on, and whispers its hedonistic history in your ear. 60 years of Bohemian Soho is brought vividly to life in this unique audio tour, narrated by veteran Soho entertainer Barry Cryer. With stories from legendary 'Sohoites' such as Molly Parkin on boozing with Francis Bacon; Janet Street Porter on Damien Hirst, Frankie Fraser on the rise of the gangster and Wee willie Harris on the birth of rock 'n' roll, the National Trust Soho Stories App brings to life 60 years of history from one of Londons most iconic districts.
Working in association with members clubs of Soho, The National Trust launched a major initiative to elicit Soho Stories from the Soho general public. In association with 5x15 Stories and Spark London a series of open-mike Soho Stories events were arranged at The Soho Theatre, Lo-Profile, Blacks Members Club, Foyles and Soho House.
The Soho Stories initiative launched with a week of Soho story-telling in Soho Square. In a 5x15 stories extended Soho special a number of Soho celebrities read to the general public via exclusive National Trust silent disco Soho headphones.
Definitely the best time at the Groucho was the early nineties. Damien Hirst was always getting his willy out. And he would get it out so many times, that no-one ever noticed it. Well, it wasnt very big to start with. Janet Street Porter
I used to live in a skip, for about three months. When I was here, it was a scary, dark place. We hid from the world under a green, torn tarpaulin, in a twelve-yard skip - which we prayed every day wouldnt be lifted up while we were asleep. Radcliffe Royds
When youre standing naked and completely still on a foot-square plinth, with a very comical wig on your head, you cant help but see the funny side of it. What would you do? You spend the four minutes thinking, what shall I have for supper? Jean Picton, ex-Windmill Girl