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Afternoon Reading: The Curiosities of the Egyptian Hall

Afternoon Reading: The Curiosities of the Egyptian Hall: Episode 2: The Great Mephisto!

Drama: Classic & Period

The Curiosities of the Egyptian Hall

Episode 2

Episode 2: The Great Mephisto!

The Great Mephisto!

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, The Curiosities of the Egyptian Hall, The Great Mephisto!Search BBC

By Tony Lidington. A young Indian illusionist gets revenge on his cruel employer.

By Tony Lidington. A young Indian illusionist gets revenge on his cruel employer at the Egyptian Hall in the 1880s. Read by Madhav Sharma.

A series of three specially commissioned stories inspired by London's Egyptian Hall - 'England's Home of Mystery & Many Illusions', which stood in Piccadilly for most of the 19th Century. The recordings were made in front of an invited audience at the Concert Artistes' Association in Covent Garden. 

London's Egyptian Hall was originally built in 1812 to house collections of curiosities brought back from the most remote and mysterious parts of the globe - from the South Seas, North & South America and Africa. But it soon became the venue for extraordinary spectaculars, panoramas and pseudo scientific demonstrations - such as Britain's first ever films, illusions, magic and freak shows. By the end of the 19th Century, it had become known as 'England's Home of Mystery and Many Illusions', under the management of the renowned magician, Maskelyne. It became the centre of magic and spiritualism where new acts were demonstrated and charlatans exposed.

The Great Mephisto! written by Tony Lidington 

A young illusionist from the Punjab takes revenge on his cruel master. 

Read by Medhev Sharma
Introduced by Tony Lidington as Alfred, Custodian of the Hall.

Producer: David Blount
A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Stories inspired by the Victorian venue in London famed as the home of magic and spectacle

Series of three stories inspired by the Victorian venue in Piccadilly in London, famed as the home of magic, spectacle, freak shows and pseudo-scientific demonstrations.

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The Curiosities of the Egyptian Hall

Episode 2: The Great Mephisto!

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