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 357 Collections and/or Records:
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 10 November 1890
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 24 March 1890
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.
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.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 23 October 1899
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 30 October 1899
Barrow Civic Hall Poster, Commencing 27 December 1976
Babes in the Wood, Ken Platt. Contains colour illustration.
Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates and Obituaries, 1891 - 1964
Personal legal documents related to Lily Ohmy, Herbert Sanger, John Everton Sanger and an order of memorial for Lawrence Wright (Horation Nicholls).
Blackpool Annual, 1926
First year of publication. Colour illustrated cover of Pierrot and Dancer, 76p.p.
Blackpool Bookshop Advert for Book List, c1950 - 1959
Advertisement for book list from Blackpool bookshop for Recipe for A Good Magician by Professor Lipka book.
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.
Blackpool Opera House Programme, c1953
George and Alfred Black present The Show of Shows, Eve Boswell, Harry Seacombe. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Printers, Blackpool, 4p.p.
Blackpool Opera House Programme, c1953
George and Alfred Black present The Show of Shows, Eve Boswell, Harry Seacombe. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Printers, Blackpool, 4p.p.
Blackpool Opera House Programme, c1954
George and Alfred Black’s The Talk of the Town, Jimmy Edwards, Tony Hancock. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Printers, Blackpool, 4p.p.
Blackpool Opera House Programme, c1954
George and Alfred Black’s The Talk of the Town, Jimmy Edwards, Tony Hancock. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Printers, Blackpool, 4p.p
Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1955
George and Alfred Black present The Big Show of 1955, Jimmy Jewel, Ben Warriss. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Ltd, Blackpool, 4p.p.
Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1956
George and Alfred Black present The Big Show of 1956, George and Bert Bernard, Eve Boswell, Freddie Frinton, Lane Brothers, Ghezzi Brothers, Hall, Norman and Ladd. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Ltd, Blackpool, 12p.p.
Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1957
George and Alfred Black present The Big Show of 1957, Jimmy Jewel, Ben Warriss, Yana, Holger & Dolores, Nirska, Latona, Graham & Chadel. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Ltd, Blackpool, 12p.p.
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