The Big Smoke

The Museum in Docklands Jack the Ripper exhibition opens tomorrow. I know that the museum has been very wary about how to treat this sensitive subject, but they've done an excellent job at examining the murders and the East End life in the late-Victorian era without tipping over into sensationalism, and the accompanying book is thorough, interesting and determinedly academic (see more here).

When Time Out learnt a Ripper exhibition was planned, eyebrows were raised – a display dedicated to a psychopathic misogynist? – but, unpleasant though it is, Jack is undeniably a key figure in London history, acting as a nexus for key issues such as poverty, housing, prostitution, racism, policing and journalism. He is also a fascinating figure for many (like the folks here).

So does this mean that other murky London subjects are ripe for museum profiles? What next? The Krays? Football hooligans? Is there anywhere we should draw the line?

Feature continues