SINISTER EXHIBITION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19945, 1 November 1934, Page 14

SINISTER EXHIBITION

STARVING BRIDAL COUPLES ON SHOW LONDON. October 20. j An end is to be put to a degrading spectacle at Blackpool, the leading Lancashire holiday resort, where three bridal couples have been engaged in a 1 starvation contest conducted by three I rival establishments. “The Daily Mail” condemned as “an j outrage on Britain’s moral sense” the exhibition of the starving brides and bridegrooms who. because of their poverty, attempted to fast 30 to 32 days to win £250. As a -Tesult of the widespread criticism aroused by the exhibitions, two of I the proprietors have closed down their shows and the third will close on Monday. The brides and bridegrooms were placed in single beds, separated by a wall, within glass cases. The morbid curiosity of the public was stimulated by revolting advertisements eulogising the courage of the bridal pairs in going straight from the wedding breakfast to the “coffin.” Sensational bulletins, such as “Bridegroom sinking fast.” were chalked on the pavement. The majority of the sightseers were women and girls. Many of them laughed at the folly of the couples sleeping with exhaustion. One couple fasted for 19 days, a second for 16 and a third for 20 days. The employers did not conceal their belief that the wagers were not likely to be won. but declared that those tak- | ing part in the exhibition would be compensated for their failure. The proprietors canvassed the country seeking couples unable to marry

and offering them engagements. Blackpool municipality is seeking powers to prohibit such sinister ex-

hibitions.