Astley Circus Pioneer
One of the earliest circus performances took place here.
Location: Cornwall Road, Waterloo
Description: On Easter Monday 1768, war hero Philip and his wife Patty Astley first performed an entertaining riding show here which which became the foundation of modern circus.
After making the highest ranking officer Sergeant Major of Horse in the cavalry with the 15th Dragoons, they came up with the idea of giving shows on a field here known as Ha'penny Hatch.
Philip Astley rode three horses at a time, picked up handkerchiefs from the floor while cantering and did handstands in the saddle. Indeed, in newspaper adverts, they boasted 'upwards of thirty different feats, with former cavalry officer Mr Astley sword in hand, as in real action and Mrs Astley 'rides two horses with one foot in each saddle, and fires a pistol'.
The blue plaque here is on the London Underground electrical substation and visible from the end of Roupell Street by the bakery Konditor & Cook. Roupell Street and Cornwall Road are built on what was Hapenny Hatch. The plaque nicely features a horse and rider based on an early picture of Astley's Circus.
One of the earliest circus performances took place here. |
Ranking This Month: 861/3062
Pages Hit This Month: 52
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
Balham's Finest Schooled Here», 5.4km
Barry Evans lived here», 3.9km
Ben Elton's School», 4.8km
The Entertainer's School», 4.5km
Patricia Hayes lived here», 5.3km
Charles Hawtrey lived here», 11.km
The Goons...in Uxbridge», 13.km
Only Fools and Fibs...», 6.9km
Dudley Moore was born here», 11.km
Crowland Primary School», 5.5km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»