Left
Right
Pinsteps. The Architect’s Hidden Rebellion (1888)
Places to visit in in London Languages: en

The building was part of London's "Theatre Boom"—a wave of construction after the 1880s, when Victorian morality clashed with racy French farces. Its architect, Walter Emden (who designed 12 West End theatres), snuck in two forbidden features:

A "brothel window" (a narrow, discreet opening on the side, rumoured for "discreet entry" of actors and patrons).

A collapsing stage floor (next door at The Lyric)—some claim 17 Shaftesbury's basement once connected for secret rehearsals.

(Run your fingers along the brickwork near the ground floor—those grooves? Horse-drawn carriages scraped them over a century ago.)

  1. The Phantom of the Matinee (1907) In 1907, actress Lillie Langtry (mistress of King Edward VII) allegedly stormed into #17 to confront a critic who panned her performance at The Lyric. She smashed a champagne bottle over his desk—a stain supposedly still lingers under the floorboards. The critic later wrote: "Her rage was finer than her acting."

(The building's current caretakers swear the top-floor office inexplicably smells of roses—Lillie's signature scent.)

  1. The Beatles' Lost Audition (1961) Before fame, The Beatles played a secret gig in the basement of The Marquee Club (just around the corner). Brian Epstein reportedly rushed into #17 to beg a promoter for a slot—but was turned away. A clerk's diary entry: "Scruffy Liverpool lads. No future in music."

(Today, the basement houses a printer's office—but staff hear faint guitar riffs at midnight.)

  1. The Spy Who Loved Theatre (1943) During WWII, MI5 bugged #17's top floor, suspecting a theatrical agent was passing messages to Nazis via coded play scripts. The truth? He was selling black-market nylon stockings to chorus girls.

(Look for the tiny drill hole in the 3rd-floor cornice—the bug’s last remnant.)

  1. A Ghost Light for Oscar Wilde Though Wilde never visited #17, his spirit haunts Shaftesbury Avenue. On the night of his arrest (1895), a single gas lamp here burned blue—a stage tradition to ward off ghosts. It's said his laughter echoes when matinees flop.

(Modern actors still "salute" the lamp outside #17 before premieres.)

Why This Address Matters This isn't just bricks and mortar—it's a silent understudy of London's theatrical history. Every crack holds a standing ovation, a broken heart, or a punchline that brought down the house.

Your Turn to Explore:

📸 Find the "brothel window" (hint: left of the fire escape).

✍️ Press your palm to the wall—some say the vibrations of 100 years of applause linger in the plaster.

(Want more? The real drama's across the street at The Lyric—where a chandelier once fell during "Phantom of the Opera". But that's another tour…)

🚀 Pro Tip: Visit at dusk, when the streetlights flicker like stage lights—and you might hear Lillie's ghost whisper: "Darling, my review was wrong."


Pictures uploaded by @Margarita Alekseeva
Guides
List of trips including this place
Margarita Alekseeva
A Two-Hour Walk Through Secret London of Sep 30, 2018

History, Legends & Atmosphere

Short description for travellers: Discover London through hidden corners and royal landmarks! This short walking tour takes you from elegant parks to West End theatres, from underground cafés to sites where history was made. Along the way, you'll see:

🔹 St James's Park & the Blue Bridge – where aristocrats met secretly, and Cold War spies supposedly exchanged signals. 🔹 Trafalgar Theatre – once home to scandalous plays and haunted by a ghostly actress, they say. 🔹 *Wesley's Café at Central Hall Westminster – where the UN was born in 1946, and where today you sip coffee beneath memorial plaques. 🔹 Hidden Soho paths** – where 18th-century actresses and courtesans played their games of power and charm.

This route blends real history, urban legends, and the unique atmosphere that makes London mysterious and unforgettable. Are you ready to walk in the footsteps of monarchs, spies, and theatre rebels?

Panorama
Discover routes near this place here!
Margarita Alekseeva (author)
Don't waste time planning
Use detailed routes created by your friends and professionals. Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience
OK
Tweet
Share
Share
Send
Send