Waxing Lyrical
Local historian Brian Lee remembers a time when Cardiff had its own waxworks.
Originally known as D'arc's Waxworks, the company came to the city in 1866 - 90 St Mary Street was the address.
The last owner of the waxworks told me that it closed in 1946. I was ten years old when it closed, but my sister Valerie would take me there every Sunday after we had attended mass.
It cost sixpence to go in and I remember most clearly looking at the waxworks effigy of the famous jockey Sir Gordon Richards. He was dressed in the actual racing colours he wore when winning the classic St Leger on Singapore.
Little did I think then that many years later, in my role as a racing correspondent, that I would get to meet the legendary jockey at a Chepstow Racecourse press luncheon. As he was born in Shropshire, I tried to get him to say that he was Welsh. Although he agreed that Richards was a Welsh name, he didn't quite agree to being a Welshman!
For an extra sixpence, one could go in The Chamber of Horrors where one could meet the Brides in the Bath murderer, Rasputin, Dr Crippen and many other infamous characters.
Other fascinating exhibits were Joan of Arc, a genuine French guillotine and a Jekyll & Hyde illusion. A penny would be dropped in a slot and in the mirror DrJekyll's face would change to that of Mr Hyde's.
Many of the film stars of the time were there such as Clark Gable, Anna May Wong, Helen Hayes and Maurice Chevalier and Charlie Chaplin.
An object of amusement with the ladies was Catawyo the Zulu.They use to look under his grass skirt to see what he was wearing!
Sadly, many of the exhibits ended up at Coney Beach, Porthcawl, Butlins Holiday camps and, apparently, at London's Madam Tussauds. The Joan of Arc exhibit I am told went to France. Everyone I have spoken to remembers the model of the policeman looking down at the top of the stairs.
This article was originally published by Tempus Publishing Ltd
Read Brian's memories of the racecourse in Ely Read more memories of Cardiff in days gone by
your comments
Gemma Collard-Rees
Apparently, my great great grandfather "Pop" Knight (real name Leonard Colison Knight) was featured in this waxworks, which I have only just found out about. He was a tattoo artist in his day. Can you tell me any more information?
Brian Lee
In answer to Mo Fender's query, she should read my book Cardiff Remembered published by Tempus for more information on the Cardiff Waxworks. Some years ago I did a programme with Frank Hennessy about the waxworks for Radio Wales.
Mo Fender, now living in Kent
My grandmother Hilda James worked at the waxworks around 1915/18? She had a great sense of fun. They used to have a "Brides in the bath" exhibit and one day just as the men from the Gas Board arrived to light the lamps, she took the body out of the bath and got in herself! As the men came up the stairs she slowly sat up!! and one poor man ran screaming back down the stairs. The next day the boss at the Gas board told the manager that they would not come again to light the lamps until that "girl" stopped frightening his staff, needless to say this didn't last long.
Can you tell me if there are any records of the staff who worked there??
Pat Dacey Hughes from Tonteg
I certainly remember the old Waxworks in St Mary Street. I used to consider it a treat to go there with my Aunt, especially as I got older and was allowed into the Chamber of Horrors!! I also remember a figure of a Girl sitting in a half moon. The insertion of a small coin, and she would be seen to breathe
