Skip to main content

Blackpool Tower Circus (Established 1894)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: Established 14 May 1894

Biography

Blackpool Tower Circus opened on 14 May 1894 at the base of the Blackpool Tower. The Tower Circus is one of the only static circuses in existence in the United Kingdom and only one of two Victorian circuses, which are still in use today. It is also one of four circuses in the world to lower into a pool of water and display aquatic shows.

The original interior design of the circus was heavily influenced by the Orientalist style popular at the turn of the twentieth century. In 1900, the circus was redecorated by English architect Frank Matcham (1845-1920), who specialised in the design of theatres and music halls. The new design created the feeling of luxury with Italian marble covering walls and floors and a vaulted ceiling with lavish patterns.

As well as the traditional equestrian acts and the novel aquatic acts, the circus presented a variety of other entertainments, including clowns and feasts of aerial acts. Wild animal acts remained an important part of the shows until 1990. The Tower Circus has always been renowned for attracting some of the best clowns and Ringmasters in the wold. Charlie Cairoli held a residency at the Tower for thirty nine years while Norman Barrett was the Tower’s Ringmaster for twenty five and George Lockhart held the same post for thirty one years.

Today, the circus is managed by the Endresz-Roberts family, which has a long legacy in British and European circus. Laci Endresz Snr. is the producer and director of the shows, while his sons are the resident clowns Mooky and Mr Boo.

Found in 184 Collections and/or Records:

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1948

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.33
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph of tiger tamer in cage with seven tigers on blue background on front cover, black and white photographs of performers and acts inside and programme in the centre, 4p.p.

Dates: 1948

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1967

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.34
Scope and Contents

Colour cartoon illustration of clown driving a car full of circus animals on orange background on front cover, black and white photographs of performers and acts inside with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p.

Dates: 1967

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1971

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.35
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of trapeze act in mid air over a green background with spot lights on the front cover, black and white photographs of the performers and acts inside with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 5p.p.

Dates: 1971

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1972

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.36
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of man in pink and white outfit on the floor and woman in blue outfit riding a rearing elephant on a blue background on the front cover, black and white photographs of the performers and acts inside with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p.

Dates: 1972

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1951

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.47
Scope and Contents

Black and white photocopy of programme.

Dates: 1951

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1950

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.57
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of a cartoon clown wearing blue trousers and red braces from behind holdind a can of paint and a brush on a red background on the front cover, inside colour photograph of Carlie Cairoli with Paul, black and white photographs of performers and acts and programme in the centre, 6p.p.

Dates: 1950

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1951

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.58
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of a cartoon clown wearing blue trousers and red braces from behind holdind a can of paint and a brush on a red background on the front cover, inside colour photograph of Carlie Cairoli with Paul, black and white photographs of performers and acts and programme in the centre, 6p.p.

Dates: 1951

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1952

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.60
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of a cartoon clown wearing blue trousers and red braces from behind holdind a can of paint and a brush on a red background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts and programme in the centre. Autographed by Charlie Cairoli and Paul, 4p.p.

Dates: 1952

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1958

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.64
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of a cartoon clown wearing blue trousers and red braces from behind holdind a can of paint and a brush on a red background on the front cover, inside colour photograph of Charlie Cairoli and showgirl, black and white photographs of performers and acts and programme in the centre, 6p.p.

Dates: 1958

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1962

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.68
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of cartoon clown and animals riding a rocket into space over the Blackpool Tower on a blue background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts, colour photogaph of Charlie Cairoli and showgirl and programme in the center, 4p.p.

Dates: 1962

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.69
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of cartoon clown playing a large portable drum and animals around it on a black background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and commercial adversiting, 4p.p.

Dates: 1964

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1965

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.70
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of cartoon clown balancing over a fountain on a brown and black background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial adversiting, 6p.p.

Dates: 1965

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.71
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of cartoon clown dressed as ringmaster holding a whip, standing in front of the Blackpool tower on a yellow and orange background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, colour photograph of Charlie Cairoli with showgirl and programme in the centre, 4p.p.

Dates: 1963

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1966

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.72
Scope and Contents

Colour dots in the shape of a fountain on a black background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre on an orange background and commercial advertising, 6p.p.

Dates: 1966

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1968

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.73
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of two men in white shirts and purple leotards in the centre and three showgirls in silver top hats and red sleeveless tail jackets on a blue and black background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising. Printed by Gazette Printers, Blackpool, 6p.p.

Dates: 1968

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.74
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of animals covering a clown with sand on the beach with the Blackpool tower behind them on a yellow background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising. Printed by United Printing Services, Stanley Road, Blackpool, 6p.p.

Dates: 1969

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1970

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.75
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of cartoon clown and animals riding a rocket into space with the Blackpool tower behind them on a black background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising. Printed by United Printing Services, Stanley Road, Blackpool, 6p.p.

Dates: 1970

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1973

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.76
Scope and Contents

Black cartoon illustration of Charlie Cairoli main features with red nose on a yellow background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p.

Dates: 1973

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.77
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of cartoon clown with bauble costume on a black background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, loose insert for the Opera House. Printed by United Printing Services, Stanley Road, Blackpool, 7p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.85
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph of ringmaster, ventriloquist with bird, clown and man in orangutan outfit on the front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of performers and acts with text, and programme in the centre on glossy paper, 6p.p.

Dates: 1999