The Fencing Competition

Background

Much is made of Anthony Lockwood’s fencing abilities throughout the books and the show. He has newspaper clippings of his exploits on display on the stairs of 35, Portland Row, and discusses his competitions in The Whispering Skull. These competitions take place at “The Albert Hall”. This refers to The Royal Albert Hall, one of the most iconic – and unusually shaped – buildings in London.

Classic Entertainment

Opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria, this iconic building hosts plays, concerts, ballet, opera, community events and sports tournaments (including rapier contests it seems!). Originally planned to be called the rather neutral Central Hall of Arts and Sciences it was renamed by Queen Victoria to honour her late husband, Albert. Victoria’s period of mourning for her husband famously shaped the way the United Kingdom (and the whole British Empire) dealt with death. You can find more about Victorian mourning and death cult as part of the Kensal Green Cemetery tour.

The hall is a Grade I listed building with the magnificent iron and glass dome on its top. Its orange and cream tones are echoed in the surrounding streets and contrast with other areas of opulent London, which are built from creamy Portland stone.

Most famous now for its annual hosting of the BBC Proms and the annual remembrance day service each November, the Royal Albert Hall has seen performances and appearances from the likes of Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein through to the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest and Adele. In 2026, it hosted the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough.

The closest event to Lockwood’s competition, however, was the annual My World Champions Tennis, which was the finale of the ATP Champions tennis tour. A tour for mens’ vetern tennis players who have held a world no 1 ranking, been a gram slam finalist, or a singles player in a Davis Cup winning team. The event last ran in 2021.

Haunted Royal Albert Hall

Like many historic buildings in London there are supernatural tales that would intrigue our Iron Trio and likely cause a stirring of spectres.

In 1930 10,000 people gathered at the hall for a seance with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (yes you read that right). According to Times Magazine, Ms Estelle Roberts clairvoyant allegedly did commune with Doyle and received a message for his daughter Mary but what this was lost with the clamour of the crowd.

There are frequent reports from staff of two young girls robed in Victorian dress often seen on 2nd November at around 2am. Reports stretch back to the 1980s and ‘the girls’ are often blamed for mishaps and accidents in the catering area where they are often glimpsed.