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Cairoli, Charlie, 1910 - 1980

 Person

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 21 Collections and/or Records:

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.3
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Mary Chipperfield and her animals, The Flying Marilees Flyers Aerialists, Circus Knie’s Horses, Franz R. Althoff elephants, Kris Kremo juggler, Fattini blancing act, Skating Rolwoods, Chy Bao Guy Troupe, The Six Bertinis trick cyclists and balancing act, Desmond and Marks clown, Helen Piderman. Notes of times handwritten on programme. Contains photos, 12p.p.

Dates: 1975

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.14
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his company clowns, Bronley’s Space Rocket, Rogana balance act, Circus Knie’s Horses and Ponies presented by Franz R. Althoff, Tommy Chipperfield and his lions, Bratuchin Cossack Troupe, Gina, Orlando and Celinas, Los Hermans, Inge Lise, Tommy de-Vel Trio jugglers, Normans and his udgerigars, Professor Grimble clown. Contains illustration on the cover with photos, 12p.p.

Dates: 1977

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.22
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his company clowns, Lilly Yokoi trick cyclist, Yong Brothers balancing act, Mary Chipperfield and her magnificent animals, Norman Barrett ringmaster, The Salvadors ball balancing, Kludsky Troupe tumblers, Miss Wendy and her birds, Burger Sisters, El Gran Rober. Contains illustration on cover with photos, 12p.p.

Dates: 1978

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1974

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.2
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1974

Charles Taylor Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0069
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1937 - 1989

Christopher Palmer Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0105
Scope and Contents

Circus programmes and VHS tapes from Billy Smart’s Circus and Chipperfields’s Circus collected during the 1970s and early 1980s by the TV producer, Christopher John Palmer. There are also a number of promotional photographs of artistes and other ephemera related to the circus.

Dates: 1973 - 1983

Circus Friends Association Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0122
Scope and Contents

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

Dates: 1795 - 2020

Cyril Critchlow Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0089
Scope and Contents The Cyril Critchlow collection contains programmes, posters, handbills, books and magic journals, many of which relate to shows in Blackpool where Cyril resided and includes material on entertainment venues such as Blackpool’s North Pier, Central Pier, South Pier, Tower Circus and a small collection of programmes from other national venues. Additionally, it contains circus photographs and postcards mainly of the Ohmy Circus and Sanger Circus including individual circus troupes and performers...
Dates: c1837 - 2008

Films, 1927 - 2007

 Series
Reference code: 178D13
Scope and Contents

Compilation of circus films showing acts on the ring as well as interviews with performers and proprietors, mainly produced by tv companies in the UK and Europe. Many of them narrated in German.

Dates: 1927 - 2007

Hamilton Kaye Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0075
Scope and Contents

Programmes, handbills, photographs and a digital copy of Hamilton Kaye's notebook which contained jokes and stories that he kept for using in his act.

Dates: c1940 - 2000

Jack and the Beanstalk Poster, Commencing 22 December 1972

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.675
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: Commencing 22 December 1972

Jack and the Beanstalk Poster, Commencing 22 December c1972

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.705
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: Commencing 22 December c1972

Lindsay Temple's Circus Photographs, 1970 - 1976

 File
Reference code: 178C108.417-435
Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs of circus performers and animals, mainly in the ring and portrait of Lindsay Temple with Franz Althoff and Charles Cairoli, mainly stamped by David Jamieson.

Dates: 1970 - 1976

Newspaper and Magazine Cuttings on Circus, 1897 - 2005

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178G21.95
Scope and Contents Newspaper cuttings and journals containing circus related articles on a range to topics including; animal rights, the death of Gordon Howes lion tamer, the Great Wallenda, George Sanger and Poppy Ginnett's wedding, other articles on Lord George Sanger and the Sanger Circus, The Smart Circus, Carlos Rosaire and Tina Paolo's wedding, King Ohmy's death, the death of Carmer Rosaire, the Paolo family, Circus Krone, Orfei Circus, Koringa, Circus Sarrasani, World War 2, Barbette, Omi, the Fossett...
Dates: 1897 - 2005

Oversize Pantomime Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1970 - 1979

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.700-705
Scope and Contents

Pantomime posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Photographs and Postcards, c1800 - 1999

 Series
Reference code: 178C108
Scope and Contents

Black and white and colour photographs, negatives and photographic albums mainly containing images of British circus, circus performers, animals and circus personalities but also some menageries such as Bostock and Wombwell and other associated entertainments and non-British circuses taken by David Jamieson, Lindsay Temple, Den Curtis, Capt. Middleton, Jack Niblett and other photographers.

Dates: c1800 - 1999

Posters, c1937 - 1989

 Series
Reference code: 178R11
Scope and Contents

A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.

Dates: c1937 - 1989

Programmes, 1970 - 1981

 Series
Reference code: 178K41
Scope and Contents

Programmes for various British and international circuses including Billy Russell's, Blackpool Tower, Fossett's, Chipperfield's and the Toni Boltini's Circus.

Dates: 1970 - 1981

Thames Television Invites you to Chipperfield's Circus Programme, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.39
Scope and Contents

Roy Hudd, ringmaster, Las Ballan, cycling troupe, Duo Nowinski perch act, Laner Brothers Wild West, Charlie Cairoli and company clowns, Gene Mendez high wire and animals. 4p.p.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Thames Television Invites you to Chipperfield's Circus Programme, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.40
Scope and Contents

Roy Hudd, ringmaster, Markus with Rosita, balancing and strongman, balancing act, The Saltas trapeze, and animals, Charlie Cairoli and company clowns and animals, Signed by Roy hudd, 4p.p.

Dates: c1970 - 1979