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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 31 Collections and/or Records:

Arcadia Theatre Poster, c1940 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.72
Scope and Contents

Drummond Road, Skegness. Frank A. Terry presents Aladdin and his wonderful Lamp with Les Lee & Al Dixon, Gloria Levine acrobatic Dancer and others. Printed by C.H. Major & Co. Ltd.

Dates: c1940 - 1959

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 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 14 January 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.5
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Sergt. Simms’ Columbian Cadets, Twelve Genuine 'Negro' Boys from the Bahama Islands in ‘Le Bivouac’, Miss Nellie Gertine Character Baritone Vocalist, The Durhams Incomparable Dancers, The Minting Troupe in New Pantomimic Absurdity ‘Fun On the, Road’ introducing AH Minting, the World’s Greatest Trick, Cyclist’, Walter Pussord Premier Prestidigitateur, Illusionist and Humorist, Nassau Piccaninnies Moonlight Shadow dance, May Morton Serio-Comedienne and Characteristic Vocalist, Miss...
Dates: Week commencing Monday 14 January 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 28 August 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.237
Scope and Contents

Birkenhead. Saker Harlow Trio! Continental Eccentrics, James Dubois, ‘Pongo’ the man monkey, gymnastic, entertainment, Letta and Minnie, Florence Chester Queen of African Coon and descriptive vocalist, Rose Conroy Serio-comic Vocalist and Burlesque Actress, Gus Harris vocal character comedian, Lily Lever ballad and descriptive vocalist, Ryan and Hal L-pantomimic act. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Printed by S Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 28 August 1899

Barrow Civic Hall Poster, Commencing 27 December 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.154
Scope and Contents

Babes in the Wood, Ken Platt. Contains colour illustration.

Dates: Commencing 27 December 1976

Charter Theatre Poster, 12 December 2002 - 5 January 2003

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.138
Scope and Contents

Preston. Cinderella, Raine Davison and others. Contains colour with photographs.

Dates: 12 December 2002 - 5 January 2003

City Varieties Poster, Season commencing 22 December 1973

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.145
Scope and Contents

Leeds. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Kenny Joy and others. Contains colour illustrations. Layout and PEP Advertising and printed by Mastin Bros., Algitha Road, Skegness.

Dates: Season commencing 22 December 1973

City Varieties Poster, Season commencing 23 December 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.172
Scope and Contents

Leeds. Cinderella, Des King and others. Contains colour illustration. Printed by A. Taylor and Sons Ltd., Wombwell.

Dates: Season commencing 23 December 1977

Civic Theatre Poster, 26 December 1981 - 23 January 1982

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.129
Scope and Contents

Barnsley. Jack and the Beanstalk, Harry Worth and others. Red and green print with photographs of performers. Printed by Walkers-Printers (inc. Cheeman’s) Barnsley.

Dates: 26 December 1981 - 23 January 1982

Civic Theatre Poster, Commencing Monday 27 December 1982

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.132
Scope and Contents

Barnsley. Cinderella, Lee Clark and others. Contains photographs. Printed by: Walkers-Printers.

Dates: Commencing Monday 27 December 1982

Civic Theatre Poster, Commencing Monday 26 December 1983

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.165
Scope and Contents

Barnsley. Mother Goose, Ken Goodwin and others. Blue and orange type on white background. Printed by Walkers Printers, Barnsley.

Dates: Commencing Monday 26 December 1983

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

Davenport Theatre Poster, 21 December 1996 - 19 January 1997

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.136
Scope and Contents

Stockport. Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp, Geoffrey Hughes and others. Contains colour photographs.

Dates: 21 December 1996 - 19 January 1997

Doncaster Civic Theatre Poster, Commencing Monday 19 December 1994

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.130
Scope and Contents

Cinderella, Duggie Brown. Contains colour illustrations.

Dates: Commencing Monday 19 December 1994

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

Empire Theatre Poster, c1960 - 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.71
Scope and Contents

All Star Comedy Pantomime Special Dick Whittington, Frank Ifield, Roy Hudd, Nat Jackley.

Dates: c1960 - 1969

Hippodrome Poster, c1940 - 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.16
Scope and Contents

Accrington. Comic Pantomime ‘Babes in The Wood’, Rene Rayne, Joe Hodson as Dame and de Randels Marionettes among others. Red and blue type with holly border on white background. Printed by Bowcott and Sons, Wednesbury.

Dates: c1940 - 1949

Hodson’s Comedy Theatre Poster, 14 May 1923

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.20
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 14 May 1923

Liverpool Empire Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.139
Scope and Contents

Aladdin, Mr T from the ‘A’ Team and others. Contains photographs.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Filtered By

  • Subject: Pantomime X

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Type
Archival Object 30
Collection 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 3
Aerialists 1
Animal trainers 2
Animals 4
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