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IN THE NEWS
TOUR OF THE MONTH
ON THIS DAY IN LONDON
21st November 1943 7 Belgian ministers in London sentence King Leopold III
21st November 1941 Born today: Juliet Mills, London England, actress (Nanny and the Professor, QB VII)
21st November 1934 Uiver returns from Schiphol in London-Melbourne air race
21st November 1781 Watercolour artist Cornelius Varley born in Hackney, East London.
21st November 1696 J Vanbrughes Relapse or Virtue in Danger, premieres 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
Ranking This Month: 275/2786
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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 Royal Court Theatre», 5.3km
The Ambassadors Theatre», 3.6km
A Puppet Barge not to be missed», 4.4km
The New London Theatre», 3.4km
Her Majesty's Theatre», 3.9km
Noel Coward lived here», 5.2km
Wood Green Empire», 2.0km
Magician Evanion lived here», 4.9km
Comedy of Errors 1st Performance», 3.0km
Thesp Alastair Sim lived here», 3.3km
mapping London's most interesting and unusual places and history
