Blackpool Tower Circus (Established 1894)
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, 1952
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1961
Charlie Cairoli and Company. Colour illustration of a clown on a rocket in space with a collection of circus animals, monkeys, an elephant, a cat and a giraffe, background is a blue and purple night sky, type multicoloured. Printed by W. E. Berry.
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1960
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1959
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1957
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1963
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1962
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1966
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1967
Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Flying Leotaris, Taras Bulba and his tigers, Max and Barbara Morris with their sea-lions, Tibor Alexander and his Dog Revue, The 3 Villams, Tower Circusettes, Baily Fossettt's elephants and ponies presented by Ivor Rosaire, The Great Barton, Jean Claude, Gina The Girl in the Moon, Goldy the horse with Jack Rosaire, The Gerardis, Desmond and Marks, The Wilsons. Colour illustration of a clown, type and background multicoloured. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd.
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1965
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1964
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1968
Charlie Cairoli and his Company clowns, Gerd Siemoneit's lions, tigers, leopards, pumas and panther, 6 Kludsky, Chy Bad Guy, The Four Rodriguez aerial acrobats, The Svenssons, Gabriella and her show dogs, Astralita, The Balcombes, Ivan Bratuchin and his Cossack riders, Concha and Concha, Giselle Palmas, Tower Circusettes, Desmond and Marks. Black and white photograph of a clown, type multicoloured on multicoloured background.
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1969
Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Flying Marilees, Circus Franz Althoff's 7 tigers presented by Miss Yvonne, Circus Franz Althoff's elephants presented by F R Althoff, 8 Danish Tiger horses and ponies presented by F.R. Althoff, 6 Ferkos, 4 Castors, 4 Bertolas, jockey chimpanzees presented by Al de Jonghe, Toly M, Tower Circusettes, Desmond and Marks. Black and white photograph of a clown, type multicoloured on multicoloured background.
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1970
Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Ruppert's bears, Valla Bertini Troupe, The Elwardos, Barbara Morris and her sea lions, The Svensons, The New Houdinys, David Rosaire and his Perky Pekes, Gerard Edon, Desmond and Marks, Freddie Kenton, Skating Sandras, The Charlies, Tower Circusettes. Small black and white photograph of a clown and black and white illustration of blackpool tower, type multicoloured on multicoloured background.
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1971
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1955
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1956
Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, c1950 - 1959
Blackpool Tower Circus Posters, c1930 - 1990
Posters for Blackpool Tower Circus including shows by Knie's Circus, Circus Krone, Circus Schumann, Bertram Mills Circus, Robert Brothers Circus and performances by Charlie Cairoli, Doddles, Coco the Clown, The Rosaires, Lilly Yokoi, Alfred Court, Vojtek Trubka, The Great Wallendas and Mary Chipperfield among others.
Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1974
Charlie Cairoli and Company, The Flying Alizes trapeze, Trio Hoganas wire act, Max Morris and His Californian Sea Lions, The Three Siegfrieds thrilling perchists, Jean Claude and Yvette puppeteers, The Wychwoods and their poodles, Billy Smart’s Elephants, The Six Benis swing act, The Kludsky trick cycling, Jerry, Jimmy and Johnny bareback riding, Paul and Barry Harman. Colour illustration of clown on cover, photos. Notes of times handwritten on programme, 12p.p.