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IN THE NEWS
TOUR OF THE MONTH
ON THIS DAY IN LONDON
20th September 1989 Musical Miss Saigon, premieres in London
20th September 1938 Emlyn Williams' Corn is Green, premieres in London
20th September 1721 Irish actor Thomas Doggett, founder of the Doggett's Coat and Badge boat race, died in London.
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
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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.
0000-00-00
Derek Jacobi lived here», 4.5km
Oscar Wilde Statue», 3.8km
Stanley Holloway was born here», 6.4km
The Players' Theatre», 3.6km
Rudolf Steiner Hall», 3.5km
Apollo Victoria Theatre», 4.9km
Wiltons Music Hall», 3.9km
The Bel Savage Inn», 3.3km
Matinee With A Difference», 3.5km
Colet Court: Home of Joseph», 7.7km
mapping London's most interesting and unusual places and history
