The BBC2 social history documentary, The Victorian Slum aired today for the first time and audiences were not disappointed.
From the costumes to the set, we were transported to a Victorian slum, recreated in modern day east London to witness the truly squalor side of the industrial revolution including the doss house and its “tuppenny hangover” sleeping arrangements.
Real-life families moved into the slum to experience first hand the hardship that people would have faced at the time.
Here’s what the first instalment of the five-part series taught us:
1. Life was hard in a Victorian slum.
Watching The Victorian Slum BBC2 UK - They had it hard...
— Robbie (@NLP_CBT_COACH) October 10, 2016
#TheVictorianSlum think you've got it tough now? Watch 'the Victorian slum'
— Lesig Ethiw (@g111les) October 10, 2016
Watching the Victorian Slum. Like a lot of folk, some of my forebears lived like this. They worked their way out. Which was no mean feat.
— (((Thomas Smith))) (@SmudgeThomas) October 10, 2016
2. But some parallels to the modern day were actually uncanny.
Watching The Victorian Slum on BBC2 - interesting but sadly too many parallels with life today for many. Choices: pay rent - eat - or heat?
— denise kirkham (@denise_kirkham) October 10, 2016
#thevictorianslum watching the victorian slum on BBC2, commenting that Zero hour contracts echo the way workers were dealt with then !
— Norman D Landings (@BenDeetoy) October 10, 2016
The Victorian Slum on bbc is actually just renting/life in london in 2016
— Phoebe (@phoexbe) October 10, 2016
TV just turned on to "The Victorian Slum" and I thought it was a documentary about the post-Brexit fallout.
— Alan S (@alantwentyseven) October 10, 2016
3. The British people love social history.
Absolutley loving @BBCTwo The Victorian Slum! #history
— Tasia (@tmr1878) October 10, 2016
Disability, social exclusion, debt and poverty in the Victorian Slum on BBC 2. Really great public history #twitterstorians
— (((Rachel Oelbaum))) (@pint_sized_one) October 10, 2016
BBC2 Now. The Victorian Slum. Good opportunity to understand the social class system of England from the 1860's onwards.
— Mrs Davis (@sociologymrsd) October 10, 2016
@BBCTwo The Victorian Slum. However did people survive it? The families' taking part r amazing. History comes alive. What an eye opener.
— lesley-anne smith (@lesley_62974) October 10, 2016
4. Life was hard for a single mother.
The show showed the struggle of one single mother trying to pay her way with very limited options for work.
The Victorian Slum on @BBC 1. Very hard for alll, specially single mothers; no surprise to what they had to turn. @WhoresofYore
— Korhomme (@Kor1748) October 10, 2016
Watching The Victorian Slum on BBC2, great insight into real hardship. Well done @BBC #realstruggle
— Michelle Charters (@M_Charters) October 10, 2016
The Victorian Slum thing on BBC2 is about the saddest thing I ever saw. I mean, we all know in theory how it was, but..ugh. Brutal.
— Pointy Hound (@PointyHound) October 10, 2016
5. It made many of us feel lucky for what we do have.
Watching The Victorian Slum makes me feel so unbelievably grateful
— Rosie E CrabTree (@DesignRosie) October 10, 2016
BBC2 The Victorian Slum. Heart breaking but we should always remember the strength our forefathers had just to survive. #VictorianSlum
— Jani (@Jani_Proma) October 10, 2016
6. Some people could see their family history play out on screen.
I'm loving The Victorian Slum on @BBCTwo It's set in the East End of London, where I grew up. One of my ancestors was a Match Girl. #history
— BowBelle (@janicestaines) October 10, 2016
The Victorian Slum on @BBCTwo looks very promising. My family in Liverpool would have lived in similar conditions by the docks back then.
— NewGardener (@Budget_Gardener) October 10, 2016
7. It was powerful stuff.
...The Victorian Slum shows the need for Trade Unions, Employment & Human Rights legislation...@ITV Victoria didn't show this...!!
— Granddad Greg (@Greg1954) October 10, 2016
The Victorian Slum reveals the filthy reality of 19th-century life beyond the palace walls
— Jan Evelyn-Wilson (@WilsonJevelyn) October 10, 2016
