Finsbury Park Empire


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: TheatreTheatre Theme  ComedyComedy Theme
Finsbury Park Empire

The first ever sawing of a woman in half was performed here.

Ranking This Month: 2372/3089

Pages Hit This Month: 9


Credits: http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk

2» The Finsbury Park Empire also played a leading role in the 1961 Cliff Richard film The Young Ones, when a group of youth club kids put on a show in a dis-used theatre, which it was at the time. (Mike Twigg)
Posted by Mike Twigg on 2009-10-28
1» I lived opposite Finsbury Park Empire in 1960s when it had just closed and a Cliff Richard film had recently been made there. I never had a photoghraph taken of the old Empire and wondered if there is one anywhere to be viewed (John)
Posted by John on 2007-12-28

Your Comments:

Name:
Email:
Your email will ONLY be used once, to confirm the publication of your comments. We value your contribution and privacy.

Anti-spam Security: Please enter this code:


Other places nearby:


Small Theatre, Big Heart», 2.3km

The Granville Theatre», 7.3km

Oscar Wilde Statue», 3.8km

Lepers, Beer, and Thespians», 3.3km

Wood Green Empire», 2.0km

Heir to Spike Milligan's Throne», 4.8km

The Bel Savage Inn», 3.3km

Derek Jacobi lived here», 4.5km

Magician Evanion lived here», 4.9km

Colet Court: Home of Joseph», 7.7km

Location Pinpointed:


Open Street Maps», Google Maps»