Rum and Revolution

Mr. Ambrose Gosling is a charming and generous man. The fact that he's dead doesn't seem to inhibit his lively personality in the least. 


Indeed, if you find yourself in the same room with him for longer than about thirty seconds, there's an excellent chance he'll offer you a drink, or perhaps a pinch of snuff. From the depths of his anachronistic waistcoat, a small wooden box will materialize, filled with fragrant, powdered tobacco, of which you are encouraged to inspect, admire, or more bravely, insufflate as you see fit. 

"For many years, only the upper class and royalty used snuff," Gosling may tell you, by way of encouragement. (Go on, all your 200 year-old friends are doing it.)

Mr. Gosling demonstrates the proper way to ingest snuff

And then there's the rum. Gosling's Rum to be specific, which came about when the English-born Ambrose and his brother James relocated from London to Bermuda around 1806 and founded their flagship spirit known as Black Seal. 

For those who wish to imbibe an historically accurate Dark 'n Stormy - a fetching blend of ginger beer, rum and lime - Gosling's is the preferred choice, the only choice really, when it comes to Bermuda's national drink. 

Still owned and run by the Gosling family today, rum enthusiasts will be happy to learn that Black Seal, for the first time in roughly two centuries, has been recently made available in the U.S. (Check out the CNN article from April, 2011 for more on this very special libation.)


But, getting back to Ambrose. Though long departed, his character has been resurrected by Jeremy Bell, an Edinburg native turned Bostonian, who proffers an abundance of talent, charisma and captivating tales during the remarkable show he calls "Rum and Revolution".

When Gatepost Tours discovered that Jeremy and his daughter, Katie, were to perform at Main Street's Cafe in Concord, well, the darkest and stormiest of nights wouldn't have kept us away. 

Always ready with a grand toast!

Even if you're the type who would rather drive at high speed into a brick wall than endure 18th-century history and music, it's just not possible to sit through "Rum and Revolution" without feeling thoroughly entertained. Yes, there are old songs, but they're rousing, impertinent songs about drinking, sailing and, amusingly, women who may or may not bestow a kiss upon Jeremy's smiling, roguish cheek 

(they usually do).

Next come the stories. Shocking, funny anecdotes and little known facts about some of our most famous Revolution-era Americans. Such as Ben Franklin who wrote a song about pirates, another about rum punch, and then wished to die in a barrel of Madeira. It would appear that Franklin wasn't our only founding father with a penchant for this intensely sweet, port-like wine either,  since General Washington himself was in the habit of throwing back an entire bottle every night. (Perhaps herein lies a clue as to the dearth of indigenous dental work in that man's mouth?)

The skilled Katie Bell plays along with with her dad

Combined throughout with expertly played violins, fiddles, a cello and even a concertina, the entire experience is enthusiastically dispatched by the reincarnated Mr. Gosling as he sings, expounds, regales and basically delivers the best history lesson you never meant to have. Also, we have it on good faith that the compulsive urge to don a tricorn hat does fade after a few hours.


In case you're wondering, we did gladly partake of the Dark n' Stormy's (fantastic). And the Madeira (lovely but cannot possibly conceive drinking a whole bottle).  

Though, alas, neither of us worked up enough courage to actually sniff the snuff....

Maybe next time.

GT

PS - If an evening of musical irreverence just doesn't do it for you, then you might consider spending time with Tripp and Toddy (another of Jeremy's delightful creations) and instead, enjoy the sight of them trying to kill each other.  If that doesn't get your Revolutionary Spirit roaring, we don't know what will!

Who wouldn't dig the spectacle of two grown men trying to take each other out with swords?

Keep on the lookout for a Tavern Tour (of Concord and Lexington) coming soon from Gatepost, with a dinner show to follow from Revolutionary Spirits. An exclusive event offered just four times a year! Details to come...

Too bad our costumes aren't as cool as theirs!