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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 40 Collections and/or Records:

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 10 February 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.1
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Fillis’ South African Dogs, The Mannons Renowned Pantomimists, Valrose Serio-Comic Vocalist, Adolph Faue Wire Equilibrist and Expert Tumbler, Miss Ailsa Cairns Serio-Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Mr Alec Burnard Comedian, Author and Descriptive Vocalist, Mr Harry Zetter Eccentric Comedian and Dancer, Mr Walter Pussord The Great Necromancer and Patterer of the Day, assisted by Mr Sydney Lee. Monday Next, Tennyson and Gorman. Green type on off white background. Printed by S....
Dates: Week commencing Monday 10 February 1896

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 Monday 26 December 1892

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.4
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. George Power Comedian, Mr Harry Shaw Musical Eccentric Comedian, Miss Marion Lena Characteristic Vocalist and Dancer, Mr Harry Barker Descriptive Vocal Actor, The Watsons Irish Comedy Entertainers, Miss Marie Kean Burlesque Vocalist and Dancer, Mr Robert J, Carroll Comedian, Author and Dancer, Mildred Cohen Vocalist, Norton Prestidgitateur Seeing Is Believing, Carl Howlett’s Royal Improved Marionette Pantomime. Green and red type on off white background. Printed by S Griffith...
Dates: Week commencing Monday 26 December 1892

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 Elephants Bathing Film, c1930 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178D9.7
Scope and Contents

Black and white film showing elephants bathing in the sea at Blackpool, silent. 9.5mm, DVD, 4 D-BETA formats.

Dates: c1930 - 1999

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, Summer season 1956

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.83
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli, Gilbert Houcke with the Circus Krone’s famous tigers, Krone’s wonderful Arab stallions, Krone’s Shetland ponies in The Children’s Nursery, Jozsi Vinicky, The See-Hee Troupe, The Theda Sisters, Edith Crocker and her Wonderful Bears, Krone’s Golden Horse ‘Pegasus’with his elephant friend ‘Lony’, The Zemgannos, Tibor Alexander and his dog revue, The D’Angoly’s king Kong, Tom and Jerry, The Heltanos. Contains colour illustrations on front cover and photographs of the acts...
Dates: Summer season 1956

Circus and Magic Films, c1930 - 1999

 Series
Reference code: 178D9
Scope and Contents

A collection of black and white amateur films in a range of reel to reel formats on magic, circus and other topics. Some have been digitised.

Dates: c1930 - 1999

Circus at the Zoo Film, c1930 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178D9.5
Scope and Contents

Black and white film on circus and animal in captivity, with sound. 16mm D-BETA.

Dates: c1930 - 1999

Circus Busch-Roland Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.43
Scope and Contents

80th year. Colour illustration of animals and acts and photo of big top.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Circus Hoffman Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.38
Scope and Contents

Preston North End Football Club. Illustration of showgirl and tiger.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Circus Hoffman Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.39
Scope and Contents

Tenby. Illustration of showgirl, elephant and clown.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Circus Hoffman's American Three Ring Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.40
Scope and Contents

Bootertown Blackrock Park. Colour illustration of big top and animals.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Circus Hoffman's American Three Ring Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.45
Scope and Contents

Bootertown Blackrock Park. Colour illustration of tiger and showgirl in neon pink.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Circus Hoffman's American Three Ring Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.46
Scope and Contents

Towyn Ty Mawr holiday Park, Wales. Colour illustration of showgirl and tiger in pink.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Circus Hoffman's American Three Ring Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.47
Scope and Contents

Newport. Colour illustration of showgirl, elephant and clown in pink.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Circus Krone Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.44
Scope and Contents

Ulm. Colour illustration of animals and acts.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Cirkus Merano Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.34
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of clown and elephant by Thomas. Left blank for overprinting location and date.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Cirkus Merano Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.50
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of clown and elephant by Thomas with tear off tickets. Left blank for overprinting location and date.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Cirkus Merano Poster, c1993

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.51
Scope and Contents

Bodo. Colour illustration of clown and elephant by Thomas.

Dates: c1993

Cirkus Merano Poster, c1984

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.52
Scope and Contents

10 Year anniversary. Colour illustration of clown and elephant and cake by Thomas. Left blank for overprinting location and date.

Dates: c1984

Filtered By

  • Subject: Animals X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 39
Collection 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 5
Aerialists 1
Animal trainers 3
Business 1
Circus 31