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 267 Collections and/or Records:
Garrick Theatre Programme, Monday 3 August 1953
Southport. Society Four dance act, Walter Jackson comedian, Tony & Ruby aeriel equilibrists, Ken Morris mime, music and madness, The Oswinos continental foot jugglers, Rey Overbury & Suzetter the musician with the twinkling feet, Charles Ancaster, George Formby. Contains photographs of the acts, 8p.p.
Grand Theatre Programme, Wednesday 26 December 1894 and 9 following nights
Nottingham. Leopolds and their specially selected company of comedians in musical absurdity Frivolity. Three fold programme. Printed by Shumach Hyson Green Printing Works, Nottingham.
Grand Theatre Programme, c1950 - 1959
Bernard M. Woolley Presents stars from Welsh Rarebit, Stan Stennett, Llew Thomas comedian, Frank James Compare, Jones Sisters dancing stars, Will Norman cyclist, Margaret Luke mimic, Leslie Lewis impressionist, Gudzows Welsh Collie Dogs-acrobatic collies. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Radio Talent Contest. Printed by Wilsons, Printers, Leicester.
Granville Theatre Poster, c1960 - 1969
Ramsgate. Ken Platt in Carry on Father and Pillar to Post. Contains colour illustrations and photographs.
Granville Theatre Poster, c1960 - 1969
Ramsgate. Ken Platt in Carry on Father and Pillar to Post. Contains colour illustrations and photographs.
Handbills, c1900 - 1999
Hanbills for variety, magic and illusion shows mainly in locations in Blackpool in cluding the North Pier, the Hippodrome and various theatres.
Heritage Theatre Poster, c1979
Stratford-upon-Avon. An Elizabethan Pageant. Contains colour illustration by Anthony John.
Hippodrome Blackpool Handbill, 13 July - 14 September c1952
Blackpool. Special Sunday Shows. Donald Peers with all star supporting company. Red and blue print. Printed by Central Printing Co., (Chas. Sowden) Ltd., Burnley, Lancs.
Hippodrome Blackpool Handbill, Opening Saturday 28 June c1952
Blackpool. Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon in Life With The Lyons. Red and blue print. Printed by Central Printing Co., (Chas. Sowden) Ltd., Burnley, Lancs.
Hippodrome Blackpool Handbill, Opening Saturday 30 June c1951
Blackpool. Moulin Rouge, International cast includes Vic Oliver, Josef Locke. Red and blue print. Printed By: Central Printing Co., (Chas. Sowden) Ltd., Burnley, Lancs, 2p.p.
Hippodrome Blackpool Programme, Summer season 1938
Blackpool. Jack Taylor presents his Fifth Blackpool Revue, ‘King Revel’, Nat Gonella, Sandy Powell, Douglas Wakefield, Norman Evans, Karina adagio dancer, Gloria Gilbert The Human Top, The Three Jokers, Stella Moya singer, The Monroe Brothers clowns, Natal the monkey man, The 48 Bright Eyes. Contains illustations on the front cover and photographs of the acts inside. Printed by Gazette and Herald, Victoria Street, Blackpool, 20p.p.
Hippodrome Blackpool Programme, Summer season 1951
Blackpool. Vic Oliver and Josef Locke in Moulin Rouge. Contains illustrations on the front cover, 8p.p.
Hippodrome Brighton Programme, Monday 21 October c1940s
Brighton. Albion Operas Ltd. Present The Circus Comes To Town. Printed by John Waddington Ltd., London & Leeds, 8p.p.
Hippodrome Handbill, Week commencing 6 June 1955
Chesterfield. Jack North and Pat Stoyle comedy duo, Mary Miller singer, Bud Richie comedian, Sylvania and Sonia musical act, Keith Brand, Gwen Macklyn singing accordionist, Frank Baumforth and Company illusionist. Red and blue print. Printed by George Allen (printers) ltd., Heywood Street, Brimington, Chesterfield.
Hippodrome Poster, 10 April 1940
Accrington. Bee-Tee Productions Presents Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ with Bert Reid, Renee Rayne and Joe Hodson as the Dame. Red and blue type on white background. Printed by Jas. Broadley Ltd. Printers, Accrington.
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.
Hippodrome Poster, Week commencing Monday 24 December 1928
Yarmouth. Billy Dale Presents the Comedy Musicality C.O.D.-Cheerio Old Dear, Joe Hodson & Syd Vance, Gaye Gordon. Red type on white background. Printed by Jarrold & Sons Ltd, 182 King Street Great Yarmouth.
Hippodrome Poster, Week commencing 24 December 1928
Yarmouth. Billy Dale presents the comedy musicality C.O.D. Joe Hodson & Syd Vance, Tom Crook, Vera May, Victor Brooker and his violin, Billy Dale, The Elsas, The C.O.D. Parcelles, Gertie Holden, Jack Kelly, Geo. And Fay, Staples, Gaye Gordon. Red type on white background. Printed by Jarrold & Sons, Ltd, 182 King Street, Great Yarmouth.
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.
Invitation, 1941
Blackpool. Lawrence Wright’s invitation to On With The Show. Ticket for performance. Allows one seat at the North Pier. Black type on green card.
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
- Circus 4
- Clowning 8
- Comedians 45
- Dance 32
- Equestrians 2
- Fairs 1
- Fakirs 2
- Family 1
- Fire eating 2
- Freak shows 2
- Gymnasts 1
- Jugglers 6
- Magic 28
- Male impersonators 3
- Menageries 1
- Mimes 3
- Minstrel shows 3
- Motion pictures 4
- Music 2
- Music-halls 12
- Musical performances 32
- Pantomime 18
- Performers 207
- Pierrot 7
- Puppets 12
- Showman 3
- Showwoman 1
- Singing 27
- Skating 3
- Stunt performers 1
- Travel 2
- Ventriloquists 6
- Wild west 1
- World War, 1914-1918 1
- World War, 1939-1945 3
- Wrestling 2
- Zoos 1 + ∧ less