Skip to main content

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 267 Collections and/or Records:

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 10 November 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.3
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Miss Maud Distin Lady Baritone, Mr Ben Fielding, Miss Nellie Gertine Double-voiced Vocalist, Mad’lle Desirie in ‘Mystia’ a series of charming illusions, Brothers Bondolas The Monarchs of the Air, Mr Andy Rhyne Eccentric Knockabout Vocalist, Acrobat & Grotesque, Miss Julia Hanson Burlesque Actress, Mr George Ripon Comedian, Miss Eva Johnson Serio-Ballad Vocalist, Mr Joe Fredricks 'negro' Comedian and Dancer, Mons. Dusoni’s Great and Unequalled Troupe of Trained Performing Dogs...
Dates: Week commencing 10 November 1890

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 24 March 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.6
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Thatcher and Leopold American Black and White Face, Comedians, Miss Annie Sharland Serio-Comic and Ballad Vocalist, Mr George Langston Comedian and Dancer, Madame Sanyeah with Her Highly Trained Performing Dogs, and Wonderful Goat assisted by Little Letto, Acrobat, Carl Freeman Conjuror, illusionist, Wonder Worker, Card and Coin Manipulator, Messrs. Geraghty and Gilligan Conversational Comedians, Wal Curtis Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Mr George Ripon. Black and yellow type on...
Dates: Week commencing 24 March 1890

Bal Moulin Rouge Poster, 11 - 24 July 1951

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.222
Scope and Contents

Paris, France. Red and blue type on white background.

Dates: 11 - 24 July 1951

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

Blackpool Hippodrome Poster, c1950 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.209
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1950 - 1959

Blackpool Opera House Programme, c1953

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.26
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black present The Show of Shows, Eve Boswell, Harry Seacombe. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Printers, Blackpool, 4p.p.

Dates: c1953

Blackpool Opera House Programme, c1953

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.27
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black present The Show of Shows, Eve Boswell, Harry Seacombe. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Printers, Blackpool, 4p.p.

Dates: c1953

Blackpool Opera House Programme, c1954

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.28
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black’s The Talk of the Town, Jimmy Edwards, Tony Hancock. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Printers, Blackpool, 4p.p.

Dates: c1954

Blackpool Opera House Programme, c1954

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.29
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black’s The Talk of the Town, Jimmy Edwards, Tony Hancock. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Printers, Blackpool, 4p.p

Dates: c1954

Blackpool Opera House Programme, 2 weeks commencing Monday 1 February 1954

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.30
Scope and Contents

The D’oyly Carte Opera Company in Gilbert and Sullivan operas, Cox and Box, HMS Pinafore, Patience, Iolanthe, Ruddigore, The Gondoliers, The Mikado. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Printers, Blackpool. 8p.p.

Dates: 2 weeks commencing Monday 1 February 1954

Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.31
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black present The Big Show of 1955, Jimmy Jewel, Ben Warriss. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Ltd, Blackpool, 4p.p.

Dates: Summer season 1955

Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1956

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.32
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: Summer season 1956

Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1957

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.33
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: Summer season 1957

Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1958

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.34
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black present The Big Show of 1958, David Whitfield, Arthur (Oscar) Haynes, The Gimma Boys, The Andrea Dancers, Lane and Truzzi, Grace O’Connor, Rudi Horn. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Ltd, Blackpool, 8p.p.

Dates: Summer season 1958

Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.35
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black present The Big Show of 1959, Jimmy Jewel, Ben Warriss, Jill Day, Larry Griswold, Jean-Louis Bert and Ilonka, The Najarros, Peiro Brothers. Contains illustrations. Printed by Ayre & Senior Ltd, Blackpool, 8p.p.

Dates: Summer season 1959

Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1960

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.36
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black present The Big Show of 1960, Tommy Steel, Alma Cogan, Eddie Calvert and the Wise Guys, Sid Millward Wally Stewart and the Nitwits, Freddie Frinton. Contains photographs of the acts. Printed by Ayre & Senior Ltd, Blackpool, 8p.p.

Dates: Summer season 1960

Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1961

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.37
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black present The Big Show of 1961, Shirley Bassey, Cliff Richards, The Shadows, Richard Hearne, Ivor Emmanual, Tommy Fields, Clark Brothers, The Lucky Latinos, Harry Smith-Hampshire and Doreen Casey. Contains photographs of the acts. Printed by Ayre & Senior Ltd, Blackpool, 8p.p.

Dates: Summer season 1961

Blackpool Opera House Programme, Summer season 1961

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.38
Scope and Contents

George and Alfred Black present The Big Show of 1961, Shirley Bassey, Cliff Richards, The Shadows, Richard Hearne, Ivor Emmanual, Tommy Fields, Clark Brothers, The Lucky Latinos, Harry Smith-Hampshire and Doreen Casey. Contains photographs of the acts. Printed by Ayre & Senior Ltd, Blackpool, 8p.p.

Dates: Summer season 1961

Filtered By

  • Subject: Variety X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 266
Collection 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 14
Aerialists 2
Animal trainers 2
Animals 8
Business 4