Critchlow, Cyril, 1923 - 2008
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
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.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 10 November 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 24 March 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 16 October 1899
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.
Blackpool Hippodrome Poster, c1950 - 1959
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.
Cyril Critchlow Collection
De La Warr Pavilion Poster, c1930 - 1949
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.
Empire Theatre Poster, c1930 - 1939
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.
Fossett's Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989
Portaferry, Ireland. Chy Fu Deys Chinese acrobatics. Contains colour illustration and black and white photograph.
North Pier New Pavilion Programme, 1953
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.
North Pier New Pavilion Programme, 1959
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.
Palace Theatre Programme, Week commencing 12 January 1948
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.
Palace Theatre Programme, Week commencing 12 January 1948
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.
Posters, c1887 - 2010
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.
Programmes for Circus, Magic and Variety Shows, c1890 - 1999
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.
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