Pepi and His Palaces of Variety

This section explores the life and career of the enigmatic Signor Rino Pepi (1872-1927) and his passion for theatre.

Rejecting a life in the family business, he became one of the most renowned quick-change artists in Europe, even performing in front of Queen Victoria at her castle in Florence. After meeting an equally enigmatic half Irish-half Italian widowed countess, he moved to England, eventually setting up a chain of variety theatres across northern England.