Themepark closes ‘execution’ show
Town mayor demands fairground cease a simulation of a death by electric chair.
A town mayor has ordered a themepark to shut a ride that simulates a death by electric chair.
Situated near the ghost train at Luna Park at Frejus in the Var, the ‘attraction’ simulated the execution of a prisoner with a hooded mannequin screaming, shaking and emitting smoke from its head and feet.
The Mayor of Fréjus Elie Brun said: “This type of morbid attraction is detrimental to the image of our town.”
He said he had sent a letter to the park demanding they remove the item and added the authority would pursue the matter further if the park did not comply.
The head of the fairground Marcel Campion said the attraction, reportedly bought for 10,000 dollars was “just a type of decoration” like others such as King Kong and a dragon.
He added: “From the moment you ban this type of attraction, you should start banning a lot of other things – especially on the TV.
“There have always been the ‘house of horrors’ and the ‘dungeon museums’ especially at fairgrounds. Before that you even had the freakshow performers who were treated like artists – all that is part of the fairground life.”
The president of the Action des Chrétiens pour l'Abolition de la Torture Marc Zarrouati said: “You cannot but deplore the existence of this type of attraction
“The most important thing is to try and comprehend the reasons why they exist and have such success. It is troubling to see a remnant of fascination with public executions.”
The attraction has already been banned at Luna Park in Milan last month but will travel to Paris for a fair in the Bois de Boulogne.
Photo: Afp Stephane Danna
