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Blackpool Tower Circus (Established 1894)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: Established 14 May 1894

Biography

Blackpool Tower Circus opened on 14 May 1894 at the base of the Blackpool Tower. The Tower Circus is one of the only static circuses in existence in the United Kingdom and only one of two Victorian circuses, which are still in use today. It is also one of four circuses in the world to lower into a pool of water and display aquatic shows.

The original interior design of the circus was heavily influenced by the Orientalist style popular at the turn of the twentieth century. In 1900, the circus was redecorated by English architect Frank Matcham (1845-1920), who specialised in the design of theatres and music halls. The new design created the feeling of luxury with Italian marble covering walls and floors and a vaulted ceiling with lavish patterns.

As well as the traditional equestrian acts and the novel aquatic acts, the circus presented a variety of other entertainments, including clowns and feasts of aerial acts. Wild animal acts remained an important part of the shows until 1990. The Tower Circus has always been renowned for attracting some of the best clowns and Ringmasters in the wold. Charlie Cairoli held a residency at the Tower for thirty nine years while Norman Barrett was the Tower’s Ringmaster for twenty five and George Lockhart held the same post for thirty one years.

Today, the circus is managed by the Endresz-Roberts family, which has a long legacy in British and European circus. Laci Endresz Snr. is the producer and director of the shows, while his sons are the resident clowns Mooky and Mr Boo.

Found in 184 Collections and/or Records:

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1971

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.202
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clowns, The Flying Alizes, Robert Bros elephants presented by Ivor Rosaire, Duo Dobritch, Three Villams, The Crazy Monroe, Arturo Segura, Jean Lemoine and Partner, Leigh Marsh and her poodle cocktail, Joan Rosaire and Goldy, Desmond and Marks, Jerry, Jimmy and Johnny, Tower Circusettes, Hungarian State Circus Four Syrius. Black and white photograph of a clown, colour illustrations of trapeze artists, an elephant, performing dogs in clothes, a horse and a water...
Dates: 1971

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.203
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clowns, Harry Belli and his lions, Armand Guerre's musical sea lions, Scriplini and his chimpanzees, Trampo-Tempo, 5 Armandis, The Cuban Boys, 2 Berty Borest, Alcetty, 3 Orfatis, Wenzel Kossmayer with Knie's horses and 6 baby elephants, The Garlands, Traffic Lights, Giant and Midget presentations, Western playtime and Spanish Fiesta presented by Douglas Kossmayer, The Tower Circusettes, Frances Duncan. Colour illustrations of a clown, four chimpanzees, three lions,...
Dates: 1955

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1956

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.204
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Krone's tigers presented by Gilbert Houcke, Edith Crocker's bears, Five D'Angoly's, See-Hee Troupe, The Heltanos, The Zemgannos, Tom and Jerry, Theda Sisters, The Matanzas, Tibor Dog, Alexander's Revue, King Kong, Krone's Arab stallions, the golden horses Pegasus with the elephant Lony, Piebald stallions and Shetland ponies presented by Jozsi Vinicky. Colour illustrations of a clown, four tigers, a strongman, dogs on a slide, horses, a chimpanzee climbing a pole,...
Dates: 1956

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, c1950 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.205
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul and Company, Knie's sea lions presented by Miss Hella, Gilbert Houcke with the Royal Bengal tigers, Pierre Alizes with Jacques and Maryse, The Seven Ashtons, Roberto Chiesa and Partner, The 3 Peters, Baudy's greyhounds and monkeys, Knie's 12 black horses presented by Maurice Houcke, The Dorchesters with the 3 Scott Boys, Eileen, Jean, Anne and Hilary presented by Delbosq, The 3 Goetschis, The Balcombes, The Laconas, The Dorocinas presented by Delbosq, Jimmy Scott,...
Dates: c1950 - 1959

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1960

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.141
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clown, The Bob Gerry Troupe, 5amandis, Knie's Chimpanzees by Dudi Smith, The Myrons, Fattini, Schaller Bros, 2 Balcombes, 3 Houcs, The Cycling Therons, King King, Our Sammy, Little Jimmy, Gerb Siemoneit's animals from Benneweis, Sacha Houke presents Knie's Horses, Rupert Bemmerl presents Knie's Elephants, Colour illustrations of a clown and clothed chimpanzees at the top, a lion and a tiger at the bottom, acts listed in multicoloured fonts against...
Dates: 1960

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.145
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clown, The Flying Marilees, Lilian Daniels and her polar bears, Konyot's chimpanzee rodeo, The Four Rodriguez, Circus Schumann's 12 Liberty horses presented by Billy Baker, Desmond and Marks, The Guttenbergs, Fuzzy-Ball Kaye and Tiny Tommy Gallaher, Kimi Yokoi, See-Hee Troupe, Bartschelly, Evelyn Hans and her poodles, Rudi Llata. Colour illustrations of clowns, a chimp dressed as a cowboy, a polar bear, the 4 Rodriguez, Kimi Yokoi and two poodles, main...
Dates: 1964

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.147
Scope and Contents

Felix with his tigers and lions, The Cairolis musical clowns, Bertram Mills' Liberty horses, Coco the clown with Michael and Tamara, Victor Barna v Alec Brook table tennis champions, Rassana queen of the air, Jon high school act, The Circusettes, Dood.

Dates: 1949

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1936

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.148
Scope and Contents

Jenny and Piccolo elephants and clowns, Los Aseveras equestrian act, Sensational Berosinis high wire, Khayyam Troupe springboard acrobats, Sandor Karoly 5 equestrian act, 4 Famous Phillips equilibrists, Doodles, Nico and Alex clowns, 3 van Normans, Ballet d'Cirque, The Edmondos horeback juggler, Christian's poodles, Paul Paetzold and Co cycling comedians. Colour illustrations of an elephant, a man and a woman on horseback and an arabian palace and lake. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd.

Dates: 1936

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, c1933 - 1990

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.149
Scope and Contents

Alfred Court with his Monarchs of the Jungle, Flying Codonas, Maximilian Truzzi juggler, Karolly Troupe equestrians, Cooke's Pony Revue, comedy jazz and boxing ponies, Gordon and Lester comedy acrobats, Ilés and Loyal, Nico and Nico, Six Rolling Wonder Girls, Loretta Ballet, Doodles, 3 van Normans, Marton Sisters. Colour illustrations of a lion, tiger, polar bear, leopard, the 3 Codonas and a couple in Edwardian costume roller skating. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd.

Dates: c1933 - 1990

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1943

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.150
Scope and Contents

Felix with his tigers and lions, The Cairolis musical clowns, Bertram Mills' Liberty horses, Coco the clown with Michael and Tamara, Victor Barna v Alec Brook table tennis champions, Rassana queen of the air, Jon high school act, The Circusettes, Doodles, Yangtse Chinese, Zola and Mattie, Mills' elephant ballet, Cavalini's canine comedians. Main background blue with white stars, type multicoloured on multicoloured background. First performance during wartime. Printed by W. E. Berry

Dates: 1943

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1940

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.151
Scope and Contents

Adele's Royal Assam elephants, Tommy Kayes with his lions, 7 Gridneffs unsupported ladder acts, The Dario Bario Family clowns, Pepino with his Miniture Circus, Emmy Truzzi with her Equine Revue, Rao Bros Indian bobbin act, 4 Balatons springboard performers, Les Filles de la Cheval ballerinas with horses, Doodles, Jix, Jax and Max, 3 Van Normans, Paul and Earl Rollo with Carole, skaters. Main background blue with white stars, type red and blue on white background. Printed by W. E. Berry

Dates: 1940

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1933

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.152
Scope and Contents Vojtek Trubka tiger act, Violetta D'Argens lion act, Kafka Stanley and Mae Four aerial acrobatics, Hamil Pasha, 30 Horses and The Harem Girls, 5 Carlton Sisters, Fred Roper's 20 Midgets, Fred Lindsay stock whip, The Stephenson's, equestrian act, Capt Ankner and 8 Trakehner Black Beauties equestrian act, Dogs in Clover presented by Miss Louise, Elsie Wallenda and her human sea lions, Doodles, Austin Bros, Van Norman, D'Arty, Jimmy, Mac clowns, Balzer Sister flying ballet, The Windsor Water...
Dates: 1933

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1953

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.153
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clowns, 8 Flying Croneras, Fischer's elephants, 5 Hansels, John, The Balladinis, 5 Talos, Knie's Legionnaires equestrian act, Klant's Lions presented by Tarzana, 2 Canters, Karl Kossmayers unrideable mule, Jimmy Scott, Little Jimmy, Annette's Circusettes, Carola's cockatoos and parrots, Trio Olympiads. Colour illustrations of lion and tamer, clown, aerial acrobat, elephant and a man on horseback, main background blue with a red stage curtain at the top, type red on...
Dates: 1953

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1952

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.154
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Knie's lions and tigers presented by Trubka, Ghezzi Brothers, Rose Gold Trio, Tosca de Lac, Knie's horses and zebras presented by Wenzel Kossmayer, Rogge Sisters, Duncan's Collies, Jacky Lupescu, The Oliveras, Little Jimmy, Annette's Circusettes, Jimmy Scott, Knie's animal carousel presented by Douglas Kossmayer, Knie's baby elephants presented by Wenzel Kossmayer, Edith Crocker's bear. Colour illustrations of a clown, aerial acrobats, a tiger and a lion, two...
Dates: 1952

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.155
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, The Great Pusztai Troupe, The Flying Zemgannos, Los Onas, Rudi Llata, Ruppert's bears, Knie's lions, tigers, leopards, polar bear, panthers and black bear presented by Eugen Weidmann, Baranton Sisters, Robert Brothers's elephants presented by Edith Schickler, Sacha Houcke's Ben-Hur, Roman riding, Sacha Houcke and Edith Schickler high school act, The Hermanis, Desmond and Marks, The Bearis. Colour illustrations of a clown, a lion, a tiger, a polar bear, and...
Dates: 1963

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1957

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.157
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Krone's ponies and polar bears presented by Jozsi Vinicky, Krone's Arabian horses presented by Doris Arndt, Excess Baggage presented by Alma Michaels, Flying Marilees, Five Cristianis, Nino Rubio, Bedini Troupe, Yokoi Troupe, Aerial Chapmans, Little Jimmy, Golden Linders, Frances Duncan. Colour illustrations of a clown, monkeys in clothes, a polar bear balancing on a ball, two horses, two ponies pulling carts and a man on a ladder balancing teacups on his head,...
Dates: 1957

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1954

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.158
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Knie's panthers, polar bears, black bears, lions and tigers presented by August Natsch, Three Craddocks, Vivian and Tassi, 4 Ramses, 2 Rassos, Harold Gautier's Excess Baggage presented by Alma Michaels, The 7 Eagles, Two Cherks, Fattini, Knie's radio horses and wist drive horses presented by Wenzel Kossmayer, Argentine Pony Express presented by Douglas Kossmayer, dancing horse and his Partner Sandry presented by Douglas Kossmayer and George Ruzsa, Jimmy Scott,...
Dates: 1954

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1938

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.162
Scope and Contents Hagenbeck's Elephants presented by Walter Kaden, Crocker's Teddy bears, Dario Bario Family clowns, Rubrio Sisters equilibrists, Capt. Tommy Kayes with his lions, Lopez Trio with Victor Fratellini comedy aerial gymnasts, Flying Alizes, Ellen Octavio animal trainer, Doodles clown, 3 Van Normans, Ryders 3, Camilla Caroli Troupe riding act, The Crystal Wonders, The Tower Mermaids. White, yellow, red and blue type on blue, red, yellow and green background with colour illustrations of clown heads...
Dates: 1938

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.163
Scope and Contents Emmi Truzzi equestrian act, Four Lazanders comedy acrobatics, Anjolys 3 high perch, Lou Lenny with her Comedy Circus, Van Norman Trio clowns, 5 Phantoms gladiators, Doodles clown, Despard and Charley French clowns, Marfrano Sisters shorthand acrobats, Le Beaute Noire high school act, The Tower Circus diving nymphs, 3 Jovellis trapeze, Four Australian Air Ages motor cycling acrobatics. Main background is blue with white stars, type is multicoloured on multicoloured background. Printed by W....
Dates: 1939

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.164
Scope and Contents

15 Devils of the Forest presented by Alfred Court big cat act, Emmy Truzzi equestrian act, Cairoli Trio clowns, Lou Lenny with her kicking mules, 7 Martinettes acrobats, Omega Trio, equilibrists, Doodles clown, Cavalini's canine comedians, 3 Van Normans, The Great Wallendas high wire. Main background is blue with white stars, main title in yellow, type in red and blue on a white background. Printed by W. E. Berry.

Dates: 1939