June 1st, 2018 : Asylum Entertainment
 

In 1895 there was no video games, no TV, in fact there wasn’t even radio to pass the time.
On this day the staff in the yard and patients in the barred windows of the Conley Hatch Asylum
in London, England, were lucky to have a fellow patient up a tree to entertain them.

http://cellar.org/2017/asylum.jpg

Would he jump? Would he fall? Would he throw poo? How long would this play out?
It had all the suspense and drama of a silent movie for everyone.

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I would fling poo.

Mr. Showbiz.

When Colney Hatch Asylum was opened by Prince Albert in 1851 it was no doubt a place to be avoided at all costs.
These days people are paying to get in there, in a manner of speaking.
What had become Friern Hospital was closed in 1993 and sold off for redevelopment.

There now follows the developers sales spiel:

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Of course, there's no mention of the previous role of the building.
There have been many such redevelopments in recent years but few estate agents draw attention to the history of the place they are trying to sell.
However, given the architectural style and size of the original building it's usually quite obvious.

Friern Hospital

The new cast of neighbours: Why the bling brigade is flocking to a former asylum in north London

Watching the Monkeyman-in-the-tree show was such a big event that everyone who went got all dressed up in their best suits, ties, vests, fancy hats, etc.; even the staff!
No tacky shorts, T-shirts, and baseball caps for THIS classy event.

Well that's crazy.

The figures in the windows make the picture.