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Critchlow, Cyril, 1923 - 2008

 Person

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:

Alexandra Theatre Poster, Week commencing 5 March 1973

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.113
Scope and Contents

Birmingham. John Hanson in Franz Schubert’s Lilac Time. Colour illustrations. Printed by Electric (Modern) Printing Co. Ltd., Manchester.

Dates: Week commencing 5 March 1973

Alhambra Theatre Poster, Week commencing Monday 29 September 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.141
Scope and Contents

Bradford. Oh! Calcutta!. Contains colour illustration.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 29 September 1980

Alhambra Theatre Poster, Week commencing Monday 5 October 1981

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.142
Scope and Contents

Bradford. Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. Contains colour illustration.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 5 October 1981

Alhambra Theatre Poster, Commencing Monday 3 July 1960

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.151
Scope and Contents

Morecambe. Ken Platt in ‘Love Locked Out’. Contains colour illustration. Printed by electric (Modern) Printing Co. Ltd. Manchester.

Dates: Commencing Monday 3 July 1960

American Three Ring Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.233
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of clown.

Dates: c1980 - 1989

An Evening with Tommy Steele Poster, c1950 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.76
Scope and Contents

ABC Blackpool. Red and yellow poster with photograph.

Dates: c1950 - 1959

Apollo Entertainment Brouchure, c1983

 Item
Reference code: 178I12.1
Scope and Contents

Promotional brochure for Apollo Engertainment production company, 4p.p.

Dates: c1983

Apollo Victoria Theatre Programme, 1982

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.107
Scope and Contents

London. Lerner & Lowe’s Camelot, Richard Harris, Fiona Fullerton, Robert Meadmore. Contains colour illustrations, 20p.p.

Dates: 1982

Arcadia (The Victory Theatre) Programme, c1900 - 1950

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.89
Scope and Contents

Colwyn Bay. Catlin’s Royal Pierrots. Also at Scarborough, Llandudno and Touring Company. Mr Jackson Brown comedian, Mr Percy R. Willing pianist & accompanist, Mr James Carson comedian, Mr Louis Fredericks, Miss May A. Willis comedienne & dancer, Mr Sidney Frere, Mr Scott Richards basso, Miss Rita Hope soprano, Miss Ethel Beech soubrette. Contains handwritten notes. Printed by WH Smith & Son, Printers, St Nicholas Street, Scarborough, 8p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1950

Arcadia Theatre Poster, c1940 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.72
Scope and Contents

Drummond Road, Skegness. Frank A. Terry presents Aladdin and his wonderful Lamp with Les Lee & Al Dixon, Gloria Levine acrobatic Dancer and others. Printed by C.H. Major & Co. Ltd.

Dates: c1940 - 1959

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 10 February 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.1
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Fillis’ South African Dogs, The Mannons Renowned Pantomimists, Valrose Serio-Comic Vocalist, Adolph Faue Wire Equilibrist and Expert Tumbler, Miss Ailsa Cairns Serio-Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Mr Alec Burnard Comedian, Author and Descriptive Vocalist, Mr Harry Zetter Eccentric Comedian and Dancer, Mr Walter Pussord The Great Necromancer and Patterer of the Day, assisted by Mr Sydney Lee. Monday Next, Tennyson and Gorman. Green type on off white background. Printed by S....
Dates: Week commencing Monday 10 February 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 1 August 1892

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.2
Scope and Contents

Birkenhead. Grand re-opening. The Killeno Family Male and Female Acrobats, Miss Myra Massey Double-voiced Vocalist, Captain Slingsby The Intercepted Letter, Mr Frank Seymour Eccentric Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Evalo and Roisso The Clown and the Turk, Mr J. Forde Irish Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Prof. Norton Royal Court Conjuror and Card King, Poole’s Minstrels. Green and red type on off white background. Printed by S. Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 1 August 1892

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 10 November 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.3
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Miss Maud Distin Lady Baritone, Mr Ben Fielding, Miss Nellie Gertine Double-voiced Vocalist, Mad’lle Desirie in ‘Mystia’ a series of charming illusions, Brothers Bondolas The Monarchs of the Air, Mr Andy Rhyne Eccentric Knockabout Vocalist, Acrobat & Grotesque, Miss Julia Hanson Burlesque Actress, Mr George Ripon Comedian, Miss Eva Johnson Serio-Ballad Vocalist, Mr Joe Fredricks 'negro' Comedian and Dancer, Mons. Dusoni’s Great and Unequalled Troupe of Trained Performing Dogs...
Dates: Week commencing 10 November 1890

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 26 December 1892

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.4
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. George Power Comedian, Mr Harry Shaw Musical Eccentric Comedian, Miss Marion Lena Characteristic Vocalist and Dancer, Mr Harry Barker Descriptive Vocal Actor, The Watsons Irish Comedy Entertainers, Miss Marie Kean Burlesque Vocalist and Dancer, Mr Robert J, Carroll Comedian, Author and Dancer, Mildred Cohen Vocalist, Norton Prestidgitateur Seeing Is Believing, Carl Howlett’s Royal Improved Marionette Pantomime. Green and red type on off white background. Printed by S Griffith...
Dates: Week commencing Monday 26 December 1892

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 14 January 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.5
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Sergt. Simms’ Columbian Cadets, Twelve Genuine 'Negro' Boys from the Bahama Islands in ‘Le Bivouac’, Miss Nellie Gertine Character Baritone Vocalist, The Durhams Incomparable Dancers, The Minting Troupe in New Pantomimic Absurdity ‘Fun On the, Road’ introducing AH Minting, the World’s Greatest Trick, Cyclist’, Walter Pussord Premier Prestidigitateur, Illusionist and Humorist, Nassau Piccaninnies Moonlight Shadow dance, May Morton Serio-Comedienne and Characteristic Vocalist, Miss...
Dates: Week commencing Monday 14 January 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 24 March 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.6
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Thatcher and Leopold American Black and White Face, Comedians, Miss Annie Sharland Serio-Comic and Ballad Vocalist, Mr George Langston Comedian and Dancer, Madame Sanyeah with Her Highly Trained Performing Dogs, and Wonderful Goat assisted by Little Letto, Acrobat, Carl Freeman Conjuror, illusionist, Wonder Worker, Card and Coin Manipulator, Messrs. Geraghty and Gilligan Conversational Comedians, Wal Curtis Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Mr George Ripon. Black and yellow type on...
Dates: Week commencing 24 March 1890

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 28 August 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.237
Scope and Contents

Birkenhead. Saker Harlow Trio! Continental Eccentrics, James Dubois, ‘Pongo’ the man monkey, gymnastic, entertainment, Letta and Minnie, Florence Chester Queen of African Coon and descriptive vocalist, Rose Conroy Serio-comic Vocalist and Burlesque Actress, Gus Harris vocal character comedian, Lily Lever ballad and descriptive vocalist, Ryan and Hal L-pantomimic act. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Printed by S Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 28 August 1899

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 16 October 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.238
Scope and Contents

Birkenhead. Tom Leamore comedian, The Four Vampires pantomimists, Major Doyle Lilliputian Comedian, Robert Gilbert’s marvellous troupe of acrobatic dogs, The Three Sisters Slater-song and dance, Jesse Burton baritone and descriptive vocalist, The Vitascope, The 2 Emeralds duettists and expert dancers, Lily Marney Irish Comedienne. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Printed by S Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 16 October 1899

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 23 October 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.239
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. The Marvellous Rikfords, The Eight Eldorado Girls vocalists and dancers, Tony & Frances Ryder -comic bar act introducing the female clown and three trained monkeys, Tom Woottwell loose legged comedian, The New Macs Irish knockabout comedy, Dulcie Laing vocalist and skipping rope dancer, The Dorrells duettists, vocalists and dancers, The Vitascope, Preston and Balmaine Illustrated songs, Duets etc, introducing the latest American Coon songs. Red, blue and yellow type on white...
Dates: Week commencing Monday 23 October 1899

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 30 October 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R27.240
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Julie Mackey, Gerald Mount Tyrolean and Descriptive Vocalist, Mark Melfords No 2 Company in ‘Between the turns or My Wife Won’t Let Me’, Sisters Leo characteristic Vocalists and Dancers, Chas. Russell character actor-vocalist, Collons’ troubadours lady vocalists and dancers, The Edison Thomas Vitascope, Nellie Stratton Serio-comic vocalist and dancer, Wilkie Bard character comedian. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Printed by S Griffith & Co, Printers,...
Dates: Week commencing Monday 30 October 1899

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 619
Collection 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 15
Aerialists 3
Animal trainers 3
Animals 40
Business 52