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Promenade in the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square
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Promenade in the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square
Promenade in the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London - a place with a reputation for picking up women of easy virtue, but popular nevertheless with the urbane gentleman. Social reformer Laura Ormiston Chant campaigned against the promenade claiming it a mart of vice. She had it successfully abolished by London County Council in October 1894. Date: 1894
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Media ID 14261735
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Abolished Chant Easy Jul17 Nightlife Promenade Promenading Reform Socialising Vice Virtue Ormiston
EDITORS COMMENTS
"This evocative photograph captures the bustling scene of the Promenade in the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London, during the Victorian era. The Promenade, a popular nightlife destination, was known for its vibrant social scene and the opportunity it provided for men to mingle and potentially meet women of easy virtue. The Empire Theatre, with its grand facade and illuminated marquee, served as the backdrop for this lively scene. However, the Promenade's reputation for vice did not go unchallenged. Social reformer Laura Ormiston Chant, a prominent figure in the late 19th century, led a campaign against the Promenade, decrying it as a den of iniquity. Her efforts paid off, and in October 1894, the London County Council successfully abolished the Promenade, bringing an end to this controversial chapter in London's nightlife history. Despite the negative connotations associated with the Promenade, it remained a popular destination for the urbane gentleman seeking an evening of socializing and entertainment. This photograph offers a glimpse into the past, providing a fascinating insight into the social dynamics of Victorian London and the ongoing debate surrounding morality and vice in the city." Image Title: The Promenade in the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London - A Place of Vice and Socialising in Victorian Times Date: October 1894 Keywords: promenade, vice, women, social reform, Laura Ormiston Chant, nightlife, London, theatre, Victorian, 19th century, evening, promenading, socialising, men, easy virtue, abolished. Image ID: ECKHARDT_VICTORIAN_LONDON_EMPIRE_THEATRE_PROMENADE_LEICESTER_SQUARE_1894 (Rights Managed from Mary Evans Prints Online)
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