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 180 Collections and/or Records:
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1950 - 1953
Scrapbook of posters, newspaper cuttings, advertisments and black and white photographs, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Blackpool Tower, Chipperfield's, Billy Smarts, John Duffy and Sons and Belle Vue, 82p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1946 - 1950
Scrapbook of posters, newspaper cuttings and programmes relating to multiple circuses and acts including Blackpool Tower, Moscow Circus, Bertram Mills and Chipperfield's, 82p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1930 - 1958
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, black and white photographs and copies of posters and illustrations, relating to multiple circus and acts including Clyde Beatty, Bertram Mills, Blackpool Tower and Chapman's, 134p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1938 - 1961
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and black and white photographs and copies of posters and illustrations, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Bertram Mills, Blackpool Tower and Liverpool Stadium, 94p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1935 - 1956
Scrapbook of photographs and newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's and Blackpool Tower, 260p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1934 - 1952
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Chipperfield's, Blackpool Tower, Billy Smart's and Bertram Mills, 202p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1982 - 1983
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circus and acts including Chipperfield's, Blackpool Tower and Austen Brothers', 41p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1987 - 1988
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings relating to multiple circuses and acts including Billy Smart's, Blackpool Tower and Chipperfield's, 41p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1984 - 1985
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circues and acts including Austen Brothers, Blackpool Tower and Gerry Cottle's, and many articles on allegations of animal cruelty in circuses, 41p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1939 - 1962
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Blackpool Tower, Hengler's, and Rosaire's, 180p.p.
Super Circus '84 Poster, 1984
Peter Jay presents All New Super Circus '84, at Blackpool Tower. The Rodogels, The Coco-Tots. Colour illustrations of a clown and an elephant, black and white illustration of Blackpool Tower, photographs of the Water Spectaculer, seven clowns and wrestler Big Daddy, main background red, type multicoloured. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd.
Super Circus '84 Poster, 1984
Peter Jay presents All New Super Circus '84, at Blackpool Tower. The Rodogels, The Coco-Tots. Colour illustrations of a clown and an elephant, black and white illustration of Blackpool Tower, photographs of the Water Spectaculer, seven clowns and wrestler Big Daddy, main background red, type multicoloured.
Super Circus '85 Poster, 1985
Peter Jay presents All New Super Circus '85, at Blackpool Tower. Colour illustrations of three clowns, sea lions, acrobats and a fountain, black and white illustration of Blackpool Tower, photograph of wrestler Big Daddy, main background pink, type multicoloured.
The Tower, Blackpool Programme, 1913
Black and white photocopy of programme, 4p.p.
Tower and Winter Garden Programme, 1934
Embossed silver illustration of Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens in the centre with a circular and then square border on a strong pink background on the front cover, inside colour illustration of a circus parade outside the tower building, blue and white photographs of performers and colour illustrations of tower scenes with text, circus and other event programmes and commercial advertising, 22p.p.
Tower and Winter Garden Programme, 1934
Embossed silver illustration of Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens in the centre with a circular and then square border on a strong pink background on the front cover, inside colour illustration of a circus parade outside the tower building, blue and white photographs of performers and colour illustrations of tower scenes with text, circus and other event programmes and commercial advertising, 22p.p.
Tower and Winter Gardens Blackpool Programme, 1937
Embossed gold illustration of Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens on red background on the front cover, inside blue and white photographs of performers and colour illustrations of tower scenes with text, circus and other event programmes and commercial advertising, 22p.p.
Tower and Winter Gardens Blackpool Programme, 1936
Embossed gold illustration of Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens on blue background on the front cover, inside blue and white photographs of performers and colour illustrations of tower scenes with text, circus and other event programmes and commercial advertising, 22p.p.
Tower Circus, Blackpool Programme, 1947 - 1948
Black and white photocopy of programme, 4p.p.
Tower Circus Blackpool Programme, Summer Season, 15 April - 16 October 1954
Silk cover with red ribbon, containing colour illustration of a cartoon clown wearing blue trousers and red braces from behind holdind a can of paint and a brush on an off white background, inside programme with same illustration on a red background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts and programme in the centre, autographed on back cover, 8p.p.