Pablo Fanque: The Fabulous & Mysterious Victorian Showman - Talk

Pablo Fanque was an invention, the alter ego of William Darby, a black, workhouse-born, son of Norwich. William was a talented acrobat, a death-defying ‘lofty leaper’ with a penchant for jumping through flaming hoops, but he was far from a star performer. Then he re-invented himself as the mysterious Pablo Fanque.

Pablo soon became the star that William never was. He abandoned acrobatics to find fame as an equestrian with his horse, Beda; performed for the Royal Family; drew thousands to his touring shows; and hired the finest performers, including Norfolk’s own Jem Mace. But his life wasn’t easy. He encountered racism, bankruptcy, the violent death of his wife, and the murder of his daughter-in-law.

Pablo died in 1871. He was soon forgotten, then John Lennon found a poster advertising Pablo’s show for the benefit of Mr Kite.

Bruce has authored a story on Pablo Fanque for VisitNorwich's year-long cultural celebration to mark twenty years of championing the city. Twenty Stories. One City, invites everyone to 'Step Into The Story' to discover the legacy of twenty people who have helped shape Norwich over a 1000 years.

Bruce’s biography of Pablo Fanque, Pablo Fanque’s Fair: the Fabulous Victorian Showman who Inspired the Beatles, is due for publication by Modern Vaudeville Press in early 2027, the 60th anniversary of the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Timings

Monday 14 September:

1400 - 1500

Location & directions

The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1TF

Directions:

This talk will be held in the Auditorium. Please make your way there once inside The Forum building.

Contact on day:

The Forum

Telephone number:

+441603727950

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

If you can no longer fulfil your booking, please cancel this by emailing [email protected] at least 48hrs in advance of the booked event to provide others with the opportunity to attend.

Booking contact name:

The Forum

Booking website:

https://norfolkhods.ticketsolve.com/

Booking opens:

26 Aug 2026 10:00 AM

Booking closes:

13 Sep 2026 03:00 PM

Additional information

Some tickets available on the door, subject to availability.

Max number of people:

90

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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