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:
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 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, 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.
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.
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.
Houdini in Russia Poster, 1903 original, 1993 reproduction
Colour illustration of Houdini escape in Moscow.
Houdini Poster, c1990 - 1999
Houdini presents his Great Chinese Water Torture Cell Escape. Black and white illustration of Hodini inside a water tank.
Houdini Poster, c1990 - 1999
Houdini presents his Great Chinese Water Torture Cell Escape. Black and white illustration of Hodini inside a water tank.
IBM 25th Annual Dinner and Magic Film, c1930 - 1999
Black and white film on magic and IBM annual dinner, silent. 8mm D-BETA.
Identity Card, c1900 - 1959
National registration identity card for John E. Sanger. Typescript and manuscript, 2p.p.
Illustration, c1900 - 1999
Mark’s New Equestrian Characters. 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.
Illustration, c1900 - 1910
Hyde Park Corner-A Showman. Colour copy of illustration.
International Brotherhood of Magicians 25th Annual Convention Programme, 1961
Harrogate, 70p.p.
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.
Invitation, 30 May 1941
North Pier, Blackpool. Lawrence Wright’s invitation to On With The Show. Allows two special seats for the opening night. Blue type on white card, 2p.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