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 620 Collections and/or Records:
Gandey's Circus Poster, c1900 - 1999
Colour illustration of lion and other acts by Derek Simpson. Left blank for overprinting location and date. Printed by Evans of the Kinder Press, New Mills, Nr Stockport.
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.
George Blake's Advertising Card, c1960 - 1969
Promotional card and puzzle for George Blake Ventriloquist, 9p.p.
Gerry Cottle Presents The Rainbow Circus Poster, c1990 - 1999
A Theatrical Production of Circus arts. Contains colour illustration. Left blank for overprinting location and date.
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.
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.
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.
Greta Garbo in La Reine Christine Poster, 1933 original, c1990 - 1999 reproduction
Modern print of poster for film. Printed in Belgium.
Guide to Blackpool, c2000 - 2008
What’s on Guide to Blackpool. Fold out map showing places of interest. Printed by Rowan Publishing.
Guide to Blackpool, c2000 - 2008
What’s on Guide to Blackpool. Fold out map showing places of interest. Printed by Rowan Publishing.
Guide to Examinations, December 1959
The Magic Circle Guide to Examinations, 12p.p.
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.
Heysham Head Children’s Playground Corner Poster, c1940 - 1959
Shipmates Concert Pary, Joe Hodson Comedian, Tom Douglas Baritone, De Randel’s Famous Marionettes, Audrey Dockrill Soprano, George and Carol Musical Gems, Renee Rayne Soubrette Dancer. Red, green and black type on white background. Printed by Arthurs, Woodchester.
Heysham Head Children’s Playground Corner Poster, c1940 - 1959
Shipmates Concert Pary, Joe Hodson Comedian, Tom Douglas Baritone, De Randel’s Famous Marionettes, Audrey Dockrill Soprano, George and Carol Musical Gems, Renee Rayne Soubrette Dancer. Red, green and black type on white background. Printed by Arthurs, Woodchester.
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 1951
Blackpool. Vic Oliver and Josef Locke in Moulin Rouge. Contains illustrations on the front cover, 8p.p.
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 619
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Acrobats 15
- Aerialists 3
- Animal trainers 3
- Animals 40
- Business 52
- Circus 126
- Clowning 37
- Comedians 49
- Dance 36
- Equestrians 4
- Fairs 4
- Fakirs 3
- Family 9
- Fire eating 3
- Freak shows 3
- Gymnasts 1
- Jugglers 8
- Magic 104
- Male impersonators 3
- Menageries 2
- Mimes 3
- Minstrel shows 4
- Motion pictures 8
- Music 3
- Music-halls 12
- Musical performances 42
- Pantomime 31
- Performers 357
- Pierrot 9
- Puppets 24
- Showman 26
- Showwoman 12
- Singing 29
- Skating 3
- Stunt performers 3
- Travel 9
- Variety 267
- Ventriloquists 9
- Wild west 3
- World War, 1914-1918 5
- World War, 1939-1945 8
- Wrestling 4
- Zoos 3 + ∧ less