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:
Deeds of Apprenticeship, 8 August 1932
Deeds of apprenticeship for John Everton Sanger, signed by Lily Ohmy Sanger. Typescript, 2p.p.
Deep Thoughts Poster, c1970 - 1979
Starring John Holmes and Louise Lovelace. Colour illustraion of back of naked woman by Peff.
Devonshire Park Theatre Poster, Summer season Monday 30 June 1980
Eastbourne. Find the Lady, Molly Sugden, Tony Adams. Contains photographs.
Diaries, 1934 - 1970
Three personal diaries from 1934, 1967 and 1970, manuscript.
Dominion Theatre Programme, 1993 - 1994
London. Grease, Shane Ritchie, Sonia, 58p.p.
Doncaster Civic Theatre Poster, Commencing Monday 19 December 1994
Cinderella, Duggie Brown. Contains colour illustrations.
Douglas Francis' Signed Photograph, 1948
Autographed photo from Douglas Francis to Derek Jones.
Drawing, c1900 - 1999
Pencil drawing of trapeze artists.
Duffy's Ireland's Premier Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989
Colour illustration of human cannonball. Left blank for overprinting location and date.
Duffy's Safari Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989
Ireland. Colour illustration of clown face and animals. Left blank for overprinting location and date.
Duke of York's Programme, 1985
London. Stepping Out by Richard Harris, Amanda Barrie, Lynda Baron, Shelia Ballantine and others. Contains illustrations and photographs of the acts, 32p.p.
Education Report, 19 December 1930
Surrey Education Committee report for John Sanger. Typescript and manuscript.
Egyptian Hall Poster, c1990 - 1999
Piccadilly. Herrmann The Great Prestidigitateur. Black and white illustration.
Egyptian Hall Poster, c1990 - 1999
Piccadilly. Herrmann The Great Prestidigitateur. Black and white illustration
Emergency Passport, October 1914
Emergency passport issued to Lily Smith (Ohmy) in Berlin, Germany during the First World War by the American Embassy to enable her liberation from Ruhleben prisoner camp and her return to England. Typescript.
Empire Pool Programme, 1954 season
Wembley. Ivor Novello’s The Dancing Years on ice, Gloria Nord, Charles Hain and others. Colour illustration on front cover and photographs of acts inside. Printed by McCorquodale, London, 12p.p.
Empire Poster, c1930 - 1939
Mountain Ash, South Wales. Henry Milnes Presents the famous Revue ‘Mixed Grill’, Including Joe Hodson, Douglas Ross, Delma & Ray Roller-skating wonders, 8 Patricia Girls, John Terry operatic vocalist, Madge Della, Edith Dene, Lonsdale & Vivian ‘those Pleasant Personalities’. Red and blue type on white background. Printed by Phillips Bros., Theatrical Printers, Aberaman, Aberdare.
Empire Poster, Week commencing 9 September 1935
George Formby presents his 935 All Star Road Show, Granville Smith melody maker, ‘Beryl’ Taps, Pell and Little the Curate and the Kid, Jack Le Dair trickologist, Bros Hintoni equilibrists on tables, 3 Van Strattans in Australian Pastimes, Rich and Galvin Step Brothers, Yra & Ottare Globe dancers, 3 Galores music sweet and hot. Red and black type on yellow background.
Empire Theatre Poster, c1930 - 1939
Gateshead, Corner of High St and Sunderland Rd. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with Joe Hodson, Kitty Iris famous BBC Soprano, Renee Rayne Winsome and Dainty, Madame Florettes Snowdrops, Little Molly, Edie Ross, Little Mickey, Bert Richardson juggler, Madame Wanna, Le Fleurette’s famous illuminated Ballet, Winette and her Little Sisters, Bert Thomas Autocratic Comedian. Red and blue type on white background.
Empire Theatre Poster, c1960 - 1969
All Star Comedy Pantomime Special Dick Whittington, Frank Ifield, Roy Hudd, Nat Jackley.
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