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:
40’s Night at the Glenn Miller Roadshow Poster, c1980 - 1989
Black and white photographs. Printed by Copycat, Bangor.
A Central Circus Site Monograph, c1930 - 1999
Ohmy by Cyril Critchlow. A Central Circus Site, Chapter 11. Unpublished monograph with research notes. Typescript & Manuscript, 4p.p.
ABC Award Poster, During the year 1952
ABC Award of Merit presented to Robert J Parsons Manager of the Ritz Warrington as the Most Outstanding Showman on the Liverpool District during the Year 1952 with illustrated border.
ABC Blackpool Poster, c1980 - 1989
Blackpool. Les Dawson, Kenneth McKellar, Dougie Squires Second Generation, Bobby Bennett, The Sunshine Girls, Jumping Jack. Contains photographs.
ABC Theatre Programme, Summer season 1959
Blackpool. Bernard Delfont Presents, The Army Game plus Blackpool’s Gayest Variety Show, Alfie Bass, Rosemary Squires, Bill Fraser, Albert & Les Ward, Michael Medwin, Saveen with Daisy, May ventriloquist, Norman Rossington, Frediani juggler, Ted Lune, Ossie Noble clown. Contains illustrations on the front cover and photographs of the acts inside. Printed by Horsley Bros., (T.U), 646 Romford Road, Manor Park, London, 8p.p.
Accounts List, 12 March 1929
Cash account list detailing the account of the late Herbert Sanger after his death. Typescript, 2p.p.
Address Label Booklet, c1900 - 1949
Progress brand gummed address label booklet. Typescript, 4p.p.
Adelphi Theatre Programme, 1980
London. My Fair Lady, Tony Britton, Liz Robertson, Peter Bayliss, Anna Neagle and others. Contains illustrations and photographs of the acts, 28p.p.
Adrion Poster, c1970 - 1979
Black and white photo with red spot.
Advertising Brouchure, c1980
Stromboli Presents Professor Strom’s Menagerie of Freaks and Oddities, 4p.p.
Advertising Brouchure for Barry Sinclair, c1980 - 1989
Promotional programme for Barry Sinclair, Power Beyond Belief Hypnotist act.
Advertising Brouchure for Carlo and Company, c1990 - 1999
Promotional material for Clown Carlo and Company containing a four page programme, a four page insert and a leaflet.
Advertising Card for The Amazing Bamforth, c1900 - 1999
Illustrated business card for The Amazing Baumforth, magic and illusionist act.
Advertising Postcard for Storytime Puppets, c1970 - 1979
Promotional postcard advertising Iain and Betty Smith, Storytime Puppets.
Advertising Postcard for Ventriloquist, c1920 - 1929
Promotional postcard for Adkin the ventriloquist.
Advertisment for J. Theobald and Company, c1900 - 1999
Illustrated page from a book featuring advert for J. Theobald & Company, manufacturers and exporters of conjuring apparatus.
African Exploits and Magicians of India Film, c1930 - 1999
Black and white film on magic, silent. 8mm D-BETA.
African Exploits and Magicians of India Film, 1951 - 1952
Black and white film on magic, silent. Reel reads: Bournemouth 1951 and Hastings 1952. 8mm D-BETA.
Albert Carre Circus Programme, July 1912
Wismar, Germany, 3p.p.
Aldwych Theatre Programme, 1954
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, Richard Greene, George Relph, Virginia McKenna, Georgina Cookson and others. Contains illustrations and photographs of the acts. Printed by Henry Good and Son, Ltd., London, 8p.p.
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- Archival Object 619
- Collection 1
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- 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
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