Tom and Jerry, or Life in London facts for kids

Tom and Jerry, or Life in London was a very popular play that first came to the stage in 1821. It was based on a famous book called Life in London by Pierce Egan, which had just been published that same year. This play made history at the Adelphi Theatre in London's famous West End. It was the first play ever to run for 100 shows in a row in London!

Painting by the Cruikshanks for the book on which the play is based

The story of Tom and Jerry follows the exciting and sometimes funny adventures of two young men in London. They explore all parts of the city, meeting people from different walks of life. This means they see both the fancy, high-class areas and the more everyday, busy parts of London.

What Was Tom and Jerry About?

The play shows the daily lives of two main characters, Tom and Jerry. They are young men who explore London's many sides. They visit grand parties and also busy street markets. The story was a fun way for people to see what life was like in London during that time. It showed how different people lived and interacted.

A Record-Breaking Show

One of the most amazing things about Tom and Jerry was its success. The production at the Adelphi Theatre was incredibly popular. It was the first play in London to have a continuous run of 100 performances. This means it played every night for 100 nights in a row! This was a huge achievement for a play back then. It showed just how much people loved the story and the characters.

The Book That Started It All

The play was inspired by a very popular book. It was also called Life in London and was written by Pierce Egan. The book was full of drawings and stories about the adventures of young men in the city. People loved reading about these characters. So, it made sense that a play based on the book would also be a big hit!