Lost in America (s1e2) – The British Occupation of New York: From Battlefields to Shakespeare

Long before the bright lights of Broadway defined New York City, the city was a stronghold for the British Army during the Revolutionary War. But while the Redcoats were firmly entrenched in their fight against American independence, they were also spending their evenings in a very unexpected way: as stage actors. In this episode of Lost in America, we uncover the fascinating history of British soldiers who moonlighted as Shakespearean performers while occupying New York. While George Washington’s "upstart" Americans were too busy fighting for freedom to establish a theater scene, the British troops were bringing sophisticated drama to the colonies. Join us at the Church of 434 as we celebrate America 250 by exploring the lighter—and sometimes stranger—side of our nation’s founding history. Don't get lost in the shuffle; the details are what make our history great! #America250 #AmericanHistory #RevolutionaryWar #BroadwayHistory #NewYorkCity #Redcoats #Shakespeare #HiddenHistory #HistoryBuff #FoundingOfAmerica