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 31 Collections and/or Records:
Arcadia Theatre Poster, c1940 - 1959
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.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 10 February 1896
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 26 December 1892
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 14 January 1895
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 28 August 1899
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.
Barrow Civic Hall Poster, Commencing 27 December 1976
Babes in the Wood, Ken Platt. Contains colour illustration.
Charter Theatre Poster, 12 December 2002 - 5 January 2003
Preston. Cinderella, Raine Davison and others. Contains colour with photographs.
City Varieties Poster, Season commencing 22 December 1973
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.
City Varieties Poster, Season commencing 23 December 1977
Leeds. Cinderella, Des King and others. Contains colour illustration. Printed by A. Taylor and Sons Ltd., Wombwell.
Civic Theatre Poster, 26 December 1981 - 23 January 1982
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.
Civic Theatre Poster, Commencing Monday 27 December 1982
Barnsley. Cinderella, Lee Clark and others. Contains photographs. Printed by: Walkers-Printers.
Civic Theatre Poster, Commencing Monday 26 December 1983
Barnsley. Mother Goose, Ken Goodwin and others. Blue and orange type on white background. Printed by Walkers Printers, Barnsley.
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Davenport Theatre Poster, 21 December 1996 - 19 January 1997
Stockport. Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp, Geoffrey Hughes and others. Contains colour photographs.
Doncaster Civic Theatre Poster, Commencing Monday 19 December 1994
Cinderella, Duggie Brown. Contains colour illustrations.
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.
Empire Theatre Poster, c1960 - 1969
All Star Comedy Pantomime Special Dick Whittington, Frank Ifield, Roy Hudd, Nat Jackley.
Hippodrome Poster, c1940 - 1949
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.
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.
Liverpool Empire Poster, c1980 - 1989
Aladdin, Mr T from the ‘A’ Team and others. Contains photographs.
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