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 36 Collections and/or Records:
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 10 February 1896
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 Monday 26 December 1892
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 24 March 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 23 October 1899
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 30 October 1899
Blackpool Annual, 1926
First year of publication. Colour illustrated cover of Pierrot and Dancer, 76p.p.
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.
Cabaret Time Card, c1970 - 1979
Time card for the Savoy restaurant, featuring The Ian Stewart Quartet and Ted Rogers’ Star Entertainer’, The Wychwoods and the Savoy Dancers.
Chelsea Palace Theatre Poster, Week commencing Monday 31 August 1931
Shaun Glenville Irish Comedian, Florrie Forde chorus singer, Archie Glen Ben Said the funjuror, The Hearnes, Pauline Crothers and her violin, The London six-Harmony, burlesque, Dancing. Blue and red type on white background. Printed by John Waddington ltd., 108 Albion Road, Stoke Newington.
Church of the Holy Spirit Poster, 9 July 1927
Harlescot Shrewsbury. Grand Dance. Special Engagement of Professor Dan Leano’s No. II Famous Novelty dance Orchestra. Contains photographs. Printed by Edwin Jones & Son, Printers, 5 Argyle Street, Wrexham.
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 Pool Programme, 1954 season
Wembley. Ivor Novello’s The Dancing Years on ice, Gloria Nord, Charles Hain and others. Colour illustration on front cover and photographs of acts inside. Printed by McCorquodale, London, 12p.p.
Garrick Theatre Programme, Monday 3 August 1953
Southport. Society Four dance act, Walter Jackson comedian, Tony & Ruby aeriel equilibrists, Ken Morris mime, music and madness, The Oswinos continental foot jugglers, Rey Overbury & Suzetter the musician with the twinkling feet, Charles Ancaster, George Formby. Contains photographs of the acts, 8p.p.
Grand Theatre Programme, c1950 - 1959
Bernard M. Woolley Presents stars from Welsh Rarebit, Stan Stennett, Llew Thomas comedian, Frank James Compare, Jones Sisters dancing stars, Will Norman cyclist, Margaret Luke mimic, Leslie Lewis impressionist, Gudzows Welsh Collie Dogs-acrobatic collies. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Radio Talent Contest. Printed by Wilsons, Printers, Leicester.
Heysham Head Children’s Playground Corner Poster, c1940 - 1959
Shipmates Concert Pary, Joe Hodson Comedian, Tom Douglas Baritone, De Randel’s Famous Marionettes, Audrey Dockrill Soprano, George and Carol Musical Gems, Renee Rayne Soubrette Dancer. Red, green and black type on white background. Printed by Arthurs, Woodchester.
Heysham Head Children’s Playground Corner Poster, c1940 - 1959
Shipmates Concert Pary, Joe Hodson Comedian, Tom Douglas Baritone, De Randel’s Famous Marionettes, Audrey Dockrill Soprano, George and Carol Musical Gems, Renee Rayne Soubrette Dancer. Red, green and black type on white background. Printed by Arthurs, Woodchester.
Hodson’s Comedy Theatre Poster, 14 May 1923
In Mr Papworth’s Field, South Kirkby. Jane Shore Historical Drama, Zoe The Octoroon Girl American Drama, The Tomboy songs and dances with Miss A Wynn and Joe Hodson, The Romance of Terrance O’Moore Irish play with Mr Geo Wynn and Miss Lavender Lee, A Race for Love Thriller, Babes in the Wood, A Fighting son of Belgium War Drama followed by Screaming sketch ‘Doctor cut ‘em up. Blue type on white background. Mon and Tues 21st and 22nd May-Aladdin and his wonderful lamp.
Marine Theatre Poster, Week commencing Monday 12 January 1948
Lyme Regis. Wal Scott Present the Great Blackpool-Torbay Coast-to-Coast (Road Show) ‘Shine’, Sylvani continental illusionist, Sunya Musical comedy star, Paul Gray xylophonist, Isolde & Alexis music and dance, Shoe Shine Girls, Roys Instrumentalists Supreme, Beautiful Georgette dancing juggler, Vera Scott Pianist, Wal Scott & Christina. Red, blue and yellow type on white background and border. Printed by Wilsons, Printers, Leicester.
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