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IN THE NEWS
TOUR OF THE MONTH
ON THIS DAY IN LONDON
28th June 1945 Born today: Dave Knights, London, rock bassist (Procol Harum-Conquistador)
28th June 1923 Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Henry for state visit to London
28th June 1909 Born today: Eric Ambler, London, suspense writer (Epitaph for a Spy)
28th June 1838 The Coronation of Victoria I in Westminster Abbey.
28th June 1461 The Coronation of Edward IV 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: 171/2697
Pages Hit This Month: 138
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.
0000-00-00
The Shaftesbury Theatre», 3.3km
The Great Bard's Theatre», 3.0km
Finsbury Park Empire», 0km
A Theatre fit for a Baron», 266km
Trafalgar Studio's», 4.0km
Thesp Alastair Sim lived here», 3.3km
The Apollo Theatre», 3.7km
Drury Lanes Pantomime Fountain», 3.5km
Clown Joseph Grimaldi lived here», 2.5km
Magic St Georges Hall», 3.5km
mapping London's most interesting and unusual places and history
