around the world with mr. punch

Wonderful thing the internet! Look what you can find. Hats off to the chap in the picture. He was the first performer to sing what has turned into Mr. Punch's theme tune: 'I Do Like To Be Beside the Seaside.'
It's been called the most successful song of the Edwardian era (and was on the playlist of the band on board the Titanic). In the UK it's passed into the nursery rhyme and junior music lesson singalong session repertoire. (Well, the chorus has anyway. Only wonks/geeks/nerds/anoraks know the verses - and they are not school song material.) Originally, however, it was sung by comic songster Mark Sheridan (1876-1918). His stage wear looks pretty good to me. Just the thing to inspire a Prof wanting an eccentric yet authentic 'Victorian' look. Meanwhile, we can take a trip back to the London of 29th November 1909 and listen to the song as recorded on that day by Music Hall artiste Florrie Forde. She'd not know about podcasts - but she'd sure know about Mr. Punch. And his Profs soon got to know all about this song and made it his own. How the world turns! Stand by to join in the chorus. Here we go..... I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside