Cathedral Kitty Wilkinson tours extended
A theatrical tour of Liverpool Cathedral telling the story of 'Saint of the Slums' Kitty Wilkinson has had more dates added due to popular demand.The extra events will take place on Tuesday May 21, Thursday June 27, and Wednesday September 18, all starting at 2pm.During the hour-long tours, actress Lucy Fiori (last seen in The Swan) will interweaves the life story of Kitty – known as Saint of the Slums - with that of the building of the cathedral. As Kitty, Lucy will talk about her fearless life aiding victims of the cholera epidemic and the beginnings of public wash houses in the nineteenth century.Kitty is featured in one of the cathedral’s famous Noble Women stained glass windows in the Lady Chapel, where she is commemorated as Helper of the Poor. She is also buried in St James cemetery next to the Cathedral.Catherine 'Kitty' Wilkinson (1786–1860) was an Irish immigrant to Liverpool. In 1832, during a cholera epidemic, she had the only boiler in her neighbourhood, and so invited those with infected clothes or linens to use it for a penny a week, destroying the cholera bacteria and saving many lives. This became the first public washhouse in Liverpool. Kitty became a campaigner for more public wash houses and ten years later thanks to her work, Liverpool opened a combined washhouse and public baths, the first in the United Kingdom. She was even presented to Queen Victoria in recognition of her work.Lucy Fiori is a founder member of Ullaloom Theatre Company who have toured locally and nationally and have co-produced Christmas shows in collaboration with The Unity Theatre and Hope Street Ltd including The Tinderbox, The Snow Queen and The Red Shoes. She also runs Petite Ullaloom, the sister company of Ullaloom which produces Children's Theatre with a dark twist.The tour costs just £5 and can be booked by individuals or groups. The Cathedral can also help groups design a Kitty Wilkinson tour package, combining it with other attractions or catering. Book in person at the cathedral, or online.
