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 26 Collections and/or Records:
A Central Circus Site Monograph, c1930 - 1999
Ohmy by Cyril Critchlow. A Central Circus Site, Chapter 11. Unpublished monograph with research notes. Typescript & Manuscript, 4p.p.
ABC Award Poster, During the year 1952
ABC Award of Merit presented to Robert J Parsons Manager of the Ritz Warrington as the Most Outstanding Showman on the Liverpool District during the Year 1952 with illustrated border.
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).
Certificate of Service, c1945
Certificate of war Service for John Sanger, 4p.p.
Correspondence, c1900 - 2008
Items of personal correspondence and correspondence related to the Sanger and Ohmy families.
Correspondence Related to John Sanger, c1900 -1999
Correspondence related to John Sanger, including letters, postcards and telegrams.
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Illustration, c1900 - 1910
Hyde Park Corner-A Showman. Colour copy of illustration.
Illustration, c1900 - 1910
Hyde Park Corner-A Showman. Colour copy of illustration.
Illustration, c1900 - 1910
Hyde Park Corner-A Showman. Colour copy of illustration.
John Everton Sanger's Birth Certificate, 4 January 1917
John Everton Sanger's birth certificate.
Letter from the Deputy City Clerk of Winnipeg, 1 February 1966
Letter to Gwenda Sanger from Deputy City Clerk of Winnipeg, Canada, sending sympathy and condolences regarding the death of Mr John William Sanger. Typescript, original & Photocopy.
Monographs and Research Material, c1860 - 1999
Monographs and research material on the Ohmy family.
Newspaper Article on Lord George Sanger and His Circus, c1832 - 1956
The greatest show on earth: Lord George Sanger and his Circus, Croft-Cooke, R. Cutting of chapter from Chambers Journal, 3p.p.
Newspaper Article on Tommy Fossett, c1980 - 1989
Photocopy of article about Tommy Fossett, 2p.p.
Newspaper Cutting About the Ohmy Family and Circus, c1880 - 1999
Newspaper cutting and photocopies regarding Ohmy’s circus and family.
Newspaper Cuttings and Scrapbooks, c1832 - 1999
Various newspaper cuttings and scrapbooks about variety and circus performers including the Ohmy and Sanger families.
Ohmy's Funeral Paperwork, 28 February 1942
Ohmy’s Funeral Paperwork. Administrative paperwork including a bill and receipt of payment from funeral directors for Claude Smith (Ohmy) funeral. Typescript and manuscript.
Photographs and Postcards, 1908 - 1975
Black and white photographs and postcards of the Ohmy, the Smart and the Sanger circuses and family members, including John Sanger in sailor’s uniform. Also a variety of circus performers including Mme. Morelli from the Bostock menagerie. Many of the postcards have been used for correspondence.
Research Material, c1930 - 1999
Various items including colour photographs of the Ohmy family grave and copies of photographs with notes on reverse as well as photocopies of various documents and some notes.
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