Islington Terrace and Circus Street

Islington Terrace and Circus Street.

From Memorials of Liverpool....second edition, revised, with additions.

The fine row of houses called Islington Terrace was erected between 1784 and 1796. The Olympoc Circus, Adelphi Theatre, or Queen's Theatre, as it has since been called, was built in 1795. Jacob Astley, of equestrian fame, had been accustomed to visit Liverpool and to give performances in the Theatre, Williamson Square. For some unexplained reason he received notice to quit, and in July 1795 issued proposals in the newspapers for the erection of an ampitheatre for music, dancing, equestrian exercises, etc., which he proposed to carry out "by subscription by way of tontine, viz., one hundred subscribers at fifty pounds each, to have a free admission ticket, on the same plan as the Theatre. The building to be held in trust by six of the subscribers by way of security." This appeal was responded to, and the building was erected within six months.

Circus Street of course takes its name from the building opposite which it debouches.

Should the above be of interest to you, you are advised to view the original article, as this is not necessarily an exact 'transcript'.