Cairoli, Charlie, 1910 - 1980
Dates
- Existence: 15 February 1910 - 17 February 1980
Biography
Hubert Jean Charles Cairoli was an Italian-English clown, impressionist and musician.
Cairoli was born in Affori, Milan, Italy to a travelling circus family of French origin, he began his performing career at the age of seven, under the name 'Carletto'. In his twenties, he was performing around Europe with his father as The Cairoli Brothers, a knockabout acrobatic act.
Cairoli first appeared at the Blackpool Tower Circus in 1939 just as the Second World War broke out and became the Tower’s resident clown for the following forty years.
Cairoli achieved worldwide fame appearing in circuses, films, television, theatres in the UK America and Europe and regularly performed in variety shows and pantomime.
He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1970 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at London's Wembley Arena.
Cairoli retired in November 1979 at 69 due to ill health and died a year later on 17 February 1980.
In February 2000 in Blackpool, Cairoli was awarded a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award from the World's Fair circus newspaper.
His son, Charlie Cairoli Junior, adapted the role his father had made famous, although performing more cabaret and pantomime rather than in the circus.
Found in 9 Collections and/or Records:
Charles Taylor Collection
The Charles Taylor collection is a fine example of Taylor’s of Wombwell printers’ posters, which highlight changes in printing techniques, fashion and taste within the popular entertainment industry. Included are examples of posters for pantomimes, fairs and circuses. The collection also contains handbills and other advertising material.
Circus Friends Association Collection
This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Jack and the Beanstalk Poster, Commencing 22 December 1972
City Varieties, Leeds. Charlie Cairoli, Steve Collins, Ken Barnes, Ann Langford, Anne Woollin, Paul Connor, Dennis Lake, Charlie Jnr, The Gaiety Dancers, Jimmy Buchanan, Jane Terry, Brenda Martyne, Stan Simmons, Red Preston. Multicoloured type on white background and illustration.
Jack and the Beanstalk Poster, Commencing 22 December c1972
City Varieties, Leeds. Charlie Cairoli, Steve Collins, Ken Barnes, Ann Langford, Anne Woollin, Paul O’Connor, Dennis Lake, Charlie Jnr, The Gaiety Dancers, Jimmy Buchanan, Jane Terry, Brenda Martyne, Stan Simmons, Red Preston. Red and black type on white background.
Oversize Pantomime Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1970 - 1979
Pantomime posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.
Posters, c1937 - 1989
A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.
Posters, c1800 - 2011
A wide range of British and international circus and menagerie posters ranging from the 19th to the 21st century including Astley's Amphitheatre, Pablo Fanque, Polito, Bostock and Wombwell, Ducrow, Cooke, Hengler, Sanger, Smart, Gerry Cottle, Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's, Robert Brothers, Fossett, Blackpool Tower, Billy Russell, Belle Vue, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, Austen Brothers and many more.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.