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IN THE NEWS
TOUR OF THE MONTH
ON THIS DAY IN LONDON
16th July 1985 Bill to abolish Greater London Council receives royal assent
16th July 1939 Born today: Corin Redgrave, London, actor (Excalibur, Man For All Seasons)
16th July 1924 Conference over German recovery payments begins in London
16th July 1877 Spencer Gore wins the first ever Wimbledon tennis tournament - after 3 days rain delay.
16th July 1377 The Coronation of Richard II in Westminster Abbey.
Finsbury Park Empire
The first ever sawing of a woman in half was performed here.
Location: St Thomas/Prah Road, Finsbury Park, London
Description: The Finsbury Park Empire was built by Frank Matcham for Moss Empires Ltd at a cost of 45,000 and opened on the 5th of September 1910 with a capacity of around 2000. The Theatre closed on the 7th of May 1960 and was demolished in 1965.
It saw many top showbiz acts of the time like Max Miller and Arthur Askey, but is renowned for being the first theatre where the saw-the-woman-in-half magic act was performed.
It was performed by PT Selbit on January 17th 1921 causing an immediate sensation, reviews called it a 'bloodthirsty ... hair raising' spectacle. Selbit responded with several publicity stunts such as ambulances parked outside the theatre. Between performances stage hands would take buckets of red liquid through the audience and pour into the gutter outside.
The act shut an attractive woman in a wooden box, with ropes holding her down, and cut the box in two. The audience loved it. Magicians everywhere rushed to make their own, bloodier versions.
Tagged in this Tour: Historic Magic Circle Tour
Comedy
Ranking This Month: 206/2801
Pages Hit This Month: 66
Link to This Page: http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location/787
Credits: http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk
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The first ever sawing of a woman in half was performed here. |
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Egyptian Hall
The magical museum and Egyptian Hall used to be here.
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Playwright Harold Pinter's Home», 2.1km
Colet Court: Home of Joseph», 7.7km
English National Opera», 3.8km
D'Oyly Carte lived here», 226km
Michael Crawford's Penthouse», 4.6km
The Bel Savage Inn», 3.3km
Actress Lynn Fontanne's Home», 6.8km
Lepers, Beer, and Thespians», 3.3km
The Magic Couple lived here», 0.4km
Finsbury Park Empire», 0km
mapping London's most interesting and unusual places and history
