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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, Summer season 1956

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.83
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli, Gilbert Houcke with the Circus Krone’s famous tigers, Krone’s wonderful Arab stallions, Krone’s Shetland ponies in The Children’s Nursery, Jozsi Vinicky, The See-Hee Troupe, The Theda Sisters, Edith Crocker and her Wonderful Bears, Krone’s Golden Horse ‘Pegasus’with his elephant friend ‘Lony’, The Zemgannos, Tibor Alexander and his dog revue, The D’Angoly’s king Kong, Tom and Jerry, The Heltanos. Contains colour illustrations on front cover and photographs of the acts...
Dates: Summer season 1956

Blackpool Tower Circus Programmes, c1900 - 2009

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.31-87
Scope and Contents

Blackpool Tower Circus programmes.

Dates: c1900 - 2009

Blackpool Tower Circus Souvenir Brouchures, c1900 - 1999

 File
Reference code: 178I22.27
Scope and Contents

Brouchures containing promotional colour and black and white photographs of acts, Blackpool scenes and performers with text, one of them produced for the 101 anniversary of Blackpool Tower and another for The Adventures of Sinbad, Christmas pantomime.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Blackpool Tower Circus, Special TV Programme, 1951

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.59
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, on reverse programme.

Dates: 1951

Blackpool Tower Film, 1992

 Item
Reference code: 178D4.6
Scope and Contents

Film showing on VHS cassette format footage of the Blackpool Tower Circus.

Dates: 1992

Blackpool Tower International Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.186
Scope and Contents

Starring Roberts Brothers International Circus. Contains colour illustration.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

Blackpool Tower, Peter Jay Presents International Circus Programme, 25 May - 3 November 1990

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.43
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of circus acts including a clown's face on top right, the face of the ringmaster and elephants and horses on top left, a female aerialist in a red bikini on bottom left and a leopard and a panther's head on bottom right on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial adverstising, 8p.p.

Dates: 25 May - 3 November 1990

Blackpool Tower, Peter Jay's International Circus Programme, 26 May - 4 November 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.42
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of circus acts including a clown's face on top left, a female aerialist in a red bikini below, three rearing horses and an elephant on bottom left, a clown's face on bottom centre, a tiger and lion's head on bottom right and a cycling act above on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial adverstising, 8p.p.

Dates: 26 May - 4 November 1989

Blackpool Tower Poster, 1984

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.27
Scope and Contents

All New Super Circus. Includes All Star Wrestling with Big Daddy. Colour photograph with clown illustration.

Dates: 1984

Blackpool Tower Poster, 1983

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.30
Scope and Contents

Peter Jay presents International Super Circus. Includes All Star Wrestling with Big Daddy. Colour photograph with clown illustration.

Dates: 1983

Blackpool Tower Presents Mexican National Circus Programme, 1991

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.83
Scope and Contents

Five colour photographs of performers in squares over the Mexican flag on the front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.

Dates: 1991

Blackpool Tower Presents Mooky's Circus of Dreams Programme, 2009

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.86
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph of clown's torso on bottom right wearing a white night hat, holding white smoke on his hand where he appears on the back of a travelling wagon and a man in a tall hat looking from above angryly on the front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of performers and acts with text, and programme in the centre on glossy paper, 12p.p.

Dates: 2009

Blackpool Tower Presents the Chinese Circus Programme, 1988

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.82
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of smiling clown face on top left, Chinese dragon and acrobat below, roaring tiger on bottom and showgirl seating on an elephant's head on bottom right on an orange and red background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.

Dates: 1988

British Circuses Programmes, 1921 - 2018

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.654
Scope and Contents Programmes for British circuses including Circus Fiesta, John Lawson's Circus, Gilberts Circus, Tom and Sheila Sandow, Tamara Coco's Circus, Blackpool Tower Circus, Bertram Mills, Billy Smart Circus, Peter Jay Superdrome Circus, Billy Russell's Circus, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, Gerry Cottle's Circus, Jay Miller's Circus, Gandey's Circus, Monday Circus, Circus Hassani, Charles Weight's Empire Circus, Coleman Bros. Circus, Paulo's Circus, John Lester's Royal Midget Circus, Trevor's British...
Dates: 1921 - 2018

Chinese Circus Poster, 1988

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.210
Scope and Contents

Peter Jay present Chinese Circus, at Blackpool Tower. Colour illustrations of a clown, a man with a puppet Chinese dragon, a tiger and a woman riding an elephant, photograph of wrester Big Daddy, background red and orange, type multicoloured.

Dates: 1988

Circus Friends Association Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0122
Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses

Dates: 1795 - 2020

Circus Photographs, 1953 - 1992

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178C108.974-1170
Scope and Contents

Colour and black and white photographs of Jay Miller's Circus, Mike Austin's Circus, Gerry Cottle's Circus, Robert Brothers Circus, Chipperfield's Circus, Circus Krone, Circus Paulos and Gandey's Circus including tents, performers and acts, also Bertam Mills and Blackpool Tower Circus posters, circus enthisiast events, circus models, also a wedding at Galaxy Circus.

Dates: 1953 - 1992

Cyril Critchlow Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0089
Scope and Contents The Cyril Critchlow collection contains programmes, posters, handbills, books and magic journals, many of which relate to shows in Blackpool where Cyril resided and includes material on entertainment venues such as Blackpool’s North Pier, Central Pier, South Pier, Tower Circus and a small collection of programmes from other national venues. Additionally, it contains circus photographs and postcards mainly of the Ohmy Circus and Sanger Circus including individual circus troupes and performers...
Dates: c1837 - 2008

Den Curtis' Photographic Albums, 1936 - 1969

 File
Reference code: 178C108.329-332
Scope and Contents

Photographic albums put together by Den Curtis, containing black and white photographs of circuses, performers and animals with annotations, including Sanger, Chipprefields, Bertram Mills, Smarts, Hoxie Bros., Blackpool Tower, Belle Vue, Robert Bros., Fossett and Luckens Continental Circus and others, also some loose photographs removed from the albums.

Dates: 1936 - 1969

Den Curtis' Photographic Albums, 1936 - 1969

 File
Reference code: 178C108.1171-1180
Scope and Contents

Photographic albums put together by Den Curtis, containing black and white photographs of circuses, performers and animals with annotations, including Sanger, Chipprefields, Bertram Mills, Smarts, Hoxie Bros, Blackpool Tower, Belle Vue, Robert Bros, Fossett and Luckens Continental Circus and others, also some loose photographs removed from the albums.

Dates: 1936 - 1969