One of the most popular attractions in Glasgow around 1900 was the water spectacle at Hengler's Circus. A "sinking stage" allowed a lake to be formed in the ring, filled to a depth of 10 feet by 23,000 gallons of water, which poured into the ring in just 35 seconds. Various ingenious scenes were devised by Albert Hengler in order to make use of this setting in pantomimes.
Reference: Mitchell Library, Theatre Collection
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries and Archives
Keywords:
circuses, Hengler's Circus, Hengler's Original Great Water Novelty, pantomimes, sinking stages, water spectacles