Memorial day - 40

In 1988, the bronze statue "Young Dancer" by Enzo Plazzotta was erected by the Westminster City Council in association with the Plazzotta Estate at the junction of Bow Street and Broad Court.

The now closed Bow Street Magistrates Court is next to the statue. This was the most famous magistrates court in the UK. With many famous people having stood in its dock, including: Oscar Wilde, William Joyce, Giacomo Casanova, General Pinochet to name but a few.

In 1741 Henry Fielding, the author of Tom Jones became a Magistrate. Together with his brother they formed the Bow Street Runners, the first full-time, paid police force in London.


It is no coincidence that there is a statue of a young ballet dancer at this location, for across the road stands the Royal Opera House, which is also the home of the Royal Ballet Company.

Enzo Plazzotta was born in Mestre, near Venice. He spent his working life in London. Gaining a reputation for his fine studies in bronze of movement and the human form. He died aged 60 in 1981.