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Critchlow, Cyril, 1923 - 2008

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1923 - 2008

Biography

Cyril Critchlow was born in Staffordshire in 1923 and moved to Blackpool with his family as a teenager in the late 1930s.

Cyril developed an interest in magic from an early age and became known as a magician during the Second World War under the stage name of Reval.

Throughout his life in Blackpool, Critchlow became an avid collector of ephemera relating to Blackpool’s entertainment heritage from the 1860s to the present day and wrote several books on the subject. He was also a passionate heritage campaigner and in 1977 he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he opened The Museum of Entertainment on Coronation Street, where he displayed his personal collection of entertainment ephemera.

Critchlow presented magic shows and gave talks on Blackpool history of entertainment at the ‘Witches Café’ which he also ran. In 1980 he became the proprietor of a small theatre of variety and he even worked as a spotlight operator at the Winter Gardens Theatre for a while. In the mid-sixties he was elected town Councillor. Additionally, he was a founder member of the Blackpool Magicians’ club, becoming at one point President and Honorary Life Member. He was a member of Equity, The Magic Circle, Blackpool Heritage Forum and he was President of the North West Music Hall and Variety Friendship Society.

He was still entertaining with his magic act in his 80s performing as Wizardo, Harry Potter's grandfather and took part in Sheffield University’s Cabinet of Curiosities held at Blackpool in 2008.

Cyril Critchlow died after a short illness in 2008.

Found in 15 Collections and/or Records:

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 1 August 1892

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.2
Scope and Contents

Birkenhead. Grand re-opening. The Killeno Family Male and Female Acrobats, Miss Myra Massey Double-voiced Vocalist, Captain Slingsby The Intercepted Letter, Mr Frank Seymour Eccentric Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Evalo and Roisso The Clown and the Turk, Mr J. Forde Irish Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Prof. Norton Royal Court Conjuror and Card King, Poole’s Minstrels. Green and red type on off white background. Printed by S. Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 1 August 1892

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 10 November 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.3
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Miss Maud Distin Lady Baritone, Mr Ben Fielding, Miss Nellie Gertine Double-voiced Vocalist, Mad’lle Desirie in ‘Mystia’ a series of charming illusions, Brothers Bondolas The Monarchs of the Air, Mr Andy Rhyne Eccentric Knockabout Vocalist, Acrobat & Grotesque, Miss Julia Hanson Burlesque Actress, Mr George Ripon Comedian, Miss Eva Johnson Serio-Ballad Vocalist, Mr Joe Fredricks 'negro' Comedian and Dancer, Mons. Dusoni’s Great and Unequalled Troupe of Trained Performing Dogs...
Dates: Week commencing 10 November 1890

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 24 March 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.6
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Thatcher and Leopold American Black and White Face, Comedians, Miss Annie Sharland Serio-Comic and Ballad Vocalist, Mr George Langston Comedian and Dancer, Madame Sanyeah with Her Highly Trained Performing Dogs, and Wonderful Goat assisted by Little Letto, Acrobat, Carl Freeman Conjuror, illusionist, Wonder Worker, Card and Coin Manipulator, Messrs. Geraghty and Gilligan Conversational Comedians, Wal Curtis Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Mr George Ripon. Black and yellow type on...
Dates: Week commencing 24 March 1890

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 16 October 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.238
Scope and Contents

Birkenhead. Tom Leamore comedian, The Four Vampires pantomimists, Major Doyle Lilliputian Comedian, Robert Gilbert’s marvellous troupe of acrobatic dogs, The Three Sisters Slater-song and dance, Jesse Burton baritone and descriptive vocalist, The Vitascope, The 2 Emeralds duettists and expert dancers, Lily Marney Irish Comedienne. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Printed by S Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 16 October 1899

Blackpool Hippodrome Poster, c1950 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.209
Scope and Contents

Max Bygraves, Winifred Atwell, Joe Jackson American comic, Hylda Baker English comic, Bood & Bood French comics, Patrick O’Hagen Irish tenor, Joan Edwards soprano, 5 fellers amazing acrobats, Princess Zola tassel Dancer from Harlem/ Red and black type on white background. Printed by central Printing Co. (Chas. Sowden) Ltd., Burnley.

Dates: c1950 - 1959

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

De La Warr Pavilion Poster, c1930 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.17
Scope and Contents

Bexhill. Tissington and Craig Productions present Edgar Sawyer in the scintillating Summer Show ‘Moonshine’, Edgar Sawyer comedian, Linda Love soprano comedienne, Bobby Bent Comedian, Yvonne Ford Speciality dancer, Jean Ward Acrobatic dancer, Robert King Baritone, Leo Conriche at the grand piano, Marjorie Yardley piano, Derek Pilcher drums, Doreen Brebner speciality dancer, The Izna Roselli Dancers. Black type on yellow background. Printed by Willsons, Printers, Leicester.

Dates: c1930 - 1949

Empire Theatre Poster, c1930 - 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.23
Scope and Contents

Gateshead, Corner of High St and Sunderland Rd. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with Joe Hodson, Kitty Iris famous BBC Soprano, Renee Rayne Winsome and Dainty, Madame Florettes Snowdrops, Little Molly, Edie Ross, Little Mickey, Bert Richardson juggler, Madame Wanna, Le Fleurette’s famous illuminated Ballet, Winette and her Little Sisters, Bert Thomas Autocratic Comedian. Red and blue type on white background.

Dates: c1930 - 1939

Fossett's Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.182
Scope and Contents

Portaferry, Ireland. Chy Fu Deys Chinese acrobatics. Contains colour illustration and black and white photograph.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

North Pier New Pavilion Programme, 1953

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.74
Scope and Contents

Blackpool. The Beverley Sisters, Phillip Kelly tenor, Jack Storey, Jack Desmonde, Virginia Vernon dancer, The Merritones vocal act, Larry Macklin, The Three Monarchs harmonica players, Diana Dove actress and singer, Dehl Trio Spider and the Fly Ballet, Freddie Harrison piano and acrobatics, The John Tiller Girls, Dancer not on Sunday-no dancing allowed. Contains photographs of the acts. Printed by Gazette & Herald, Blackpool, 8p.p.

Dates: 1953

North Pier New Pavilion Programme, 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.77
Scope and Contents

Blackpool. Bernard Delfont presents his great Show of Stars in Show Time, Charlie Drake comedian, Edmund Hockridge, Three Monarchs, The Mudlarks, Doreen Hume, Shelia Holt and Tom Gillis, Evers and Toni acrobats. Contains photographs of the acts. 8p.p.

Dates: 1959

Palace Theatre Programme, Week commencing 12 January 1948

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.133
Scope and Contents

Blackpool. Chefalo! With Maddalena and Company, The Five Amith Brothers, Stage family from the BBC, Max Bygraves, the Lazy Comedian, Vic Wise & Nita Laine, The Dance Time, Shane Sisters, The Ben Abdrahman Wazzan Troupe-Whirlwind Acrobats. Red and black pint. Printed by: Richard Whewell (Bolton) Ltd, 4p.p.

Dates: Week commencing 12 January 1948

Palace Theatre Programme, Week commencing 12 January 1948

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.134
Scope and Contents

Blackpool. Chefalo! With Maddalena and Company, The Five Amith Brothers, Stage family from the BBC, Max Bygraves, the Lazy Comedian, Vic Wise & Nita Laine, The Dance Time, Shane Sisters, The Ben Abdrahman Wazzan Troupe-Whirlwind Acrobats. Red and black pint. Printed by: Richard Whewell (Bolton) Ltd, 4p.p.

Dates: Week commencing 12 January 1948

Posters, c1887 - 2010

 Series
Reference code: 178R27
Scope and Contents

Circus, variety, pantomime and magic posters including Argyle theatre, Liverpool Empire, Blackpool Tower Circus, Robert Brothers, Austen Brothers, Sorcar, Vesta Tilley, Ken Dodd, Dan Leno, Florrie Forde and others.

Dates: c1887 - 2010

Programmes for Circus, Magic and Variety Shows, c1890 - 1999

 Series
Reference code: 178K27
Scope and Contents

Circus, magic and variety show programmes including the Great Ohmy Circus, John Sanger Circus, Bertram Mills Circus and variety shows at various locations in Blackpool, London, Manchester and other theatres in England. Some of the variety performers showcased are Morecambe and Wise, Hetty King, Mae West, Bob Hope, Shirley Bassey, Larry Lamb and Cliff Richards.

Dates: c1890 - 1999

Filtered By

  • Subject: Acrobats X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 14
Collection 1
 
Subject
Aerialists 1
Animal trainers 2
Animals 5
Business 1
Circus 4