Entertainment

Members of the Ton (other than heads of households and peers in the House of Lords) do not work, so they have a lot of time for leisure. This page details some of the most common sources of entertainment (which are planned to feature in The Social Season), but it is by no means an exhaustive list, and players should not be limited by it.

For evening entertainment, the nobility may visit the opera or take in a play at a theatre around the city, watching the performance from a luxurious private box. The most popular venues are the King’s Theatre (for ballet and opera), the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (for plays) and Theatre Royal, Covent Garden (for plays).

Attending a theatre show provides escapism from an unhappy life for some and simply an entertaining evening for others. It is also a rare opportunity for members of the Ton to share an experience with ordinary locals who sit or stand in less comfortable surroundings elsewhere in the venue.

Some active pastimes enjoyed by the wealthy include horse-riding, archery and pall mall. Rather than playing sports themselves, it is more common for members of the Ton to spectate on sports such as horse-racing, boxing and cricket (Lord’s Cricket Ground opens in June 1814, during Downtime 2 of The Social Season). Nevertheless, some enjoy the challenge and commitment of practicing a sport themselves or value the camaraderie of being in a sports club.

The main spectator sport in The Social Season is boxing. Members of the Ton enjoy watching bare-knuckle fights, supporting their favourite boxers and placing huge bets on the outcome of matches. Betting successfully on the victor of a match can lead to a lucrative payoff and admiration (with more than a hint of jealousy) from others in the Ton. A highly anticipated upcoming match is scheduled for the 20th May, between the undefeated champion Kit Bennet and an impressive newcomer Rose Allen.

Accessed by boat, the Gardens attract huge crowds (thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of people), across different social classes, who are looking for an evening’s entertainment. The Gardens host a variety of events including music performances, fireworks and hot air balloon flights.

The trees that line the paths are decorated with thousands of glass lamps, illuminating the route for walkers. The Gardens are also famous for the Dark Walks, the paths furthest from the entrance which are left deliberately unlit, providing a spot for young couples to socialise together without the watchful eye of a chaperone. However, frequenting the Dark Walks risks major scandal if observed by another member of the Ton.