Did the name “The Masque Haunt” ever strike you as peculiar? Right here, at 168-172 Old Street, stands The Masque Haunt. It’s a Wetherspoon’s pub now, but its name whispers tales of a more flamboyant past. The Masque Haunt takes its name from the lavish masked performances once popular in Elizabethan England. These weren’t your average street performers. Imagine elaborate dramas, filled with music and dancing, penned by the leading poets and playwrights of the day. These spectacles were staged at the nearby gatehouse of the former Priory of St John, the office of the Master of the Revels. This important figure held the power to license plays, masques, and all manner of entertainment for the Queen. The Masque Haunt’s name echoes these masked figures and the unusual titles of their performances. Inside, it’s standard Wetherspoon’s fare. You’ll find a “decorative carpet, wooden panneling, green ceiling,” and a decent selection of beers. A far cry from the grandeur of Elizabethan masques, but a comfortable place to enjoy a pint. The Masque Haunt’s link to a vibrant historical tradition makes it more than just another pub. It’s a quiet reminder of a time when entertainment was a royal affair, a masked haunt indeed.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service