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IN THE NEWS
TOUR OF THE MONTH
ON THIS DAY IN LONDON
24th August 1967 The Beatles met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at The Park Lane Hilton.
24th August 1961 Born today: Mark Bedders Bedfored, London, rock bassist (Madness)
24th August 1961 Mad Men actor Jared Harris was born in London.
24th August 1957 Comedian Stephen Fry born in Hampstead, London.
24th August 1954 William Heatherton's Reluctant Debutante, premieres in London
24th August 1940 Luftwaffe bombs London
24th August 1591 Bachelor Poet Robert Herrick was born in Cheapside, 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
Ranking This Month: 168/2718
Pages Hit This Month: 93
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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Apollo Victoria Theatre», 4.9km
Lepers, Beer, and Thespians», 3.3km
Little Angel Theatre», 1.6km
The Rose Theatre», 3.8km
The Royal Court Theatre», 5.3km
Rudolf Steiner Hall», 3.5km
The Granville Theatre», 7.3km
A Theatre fit for a Baron», 266km
Michael Crawford's Penthouse», 4.6km
Thesp Alastair Sim lived here», 3.3km
mapping London's most interesting and unusual places and history
