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.
Tours: Historic Magic Circle Tour
Themes: Theatre

The first ever sawing of a woman in half was performed here. |
Ranking This Month: 780/3073
Pages Hit This Month: 33
Credits: http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
Fortune Theatre», 3.5km
Actress Peggy Ashcrofts home», 3.0km
Ellen Terry's House and Theatre», 6.0km
Punch and Judy Birthplace», 3.4km
St Martins Theatre», 3.6km
Finsbury Park Empire», 0km
Sir Harry Lauder», 10.km
The Cockpit-in-Court», 4.2km
Sir John Gielgud's birthplace», 6.0km
Comedy of Errors 1st Performance», 3.0km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»