Latest news with #ShowtownMuseum
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Blackpool Tower Circus clown Charlie Cairoli to get blue plaque
One of the most famous entertainers at Blackpool's Tower Circus is to be honoured with a blue Italian clown Charlie Cairoli performed at the venue for four decades from had settled in the town following the outbreak of World War Two and remained there until his death in blue plaque will be officially presented to members of the Cairoli family during a ceremony on 15 November and then permanently installed at the Tower's front entrance. Nigel Male, from the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society, said: "He brought more holidaymakers into Blackpool than any other entertainer and it means a lot to have this plaque where it belongs."It's going to incorporate everyone who worked with Charlie."Mr Male said despite being a lifelong fan, he never saw Cairoli perform."My parents took me to Blackpool in 1979 to see Charlie," he said."We went in and sat ringside and an announcement came over from the ringmaster, the legendary Norman Barratt, to say that due to illness Charlie wouldn't appear."But the fascination was always there, and now's the time to wrap the association up and go out on a high with a blue heritage plaque in the Tower."Blackpool's Showtown museum recently acquired an archive collection celebrating Cairoli's legacy, including programmes and letters. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Blackpool's Showtown History Centre reopens after roof repairs
A history centre celebrating the "rich entertainment heritage" of a seaside resort is reopening after extensive repairs to the roof and a Showtown History Centre on the first floor of Central Library on Queen Street has been closed since February 2020 due to significant roof damage. It is home to more than 100,000 items across three departments: print and visual, archives and manuscripts, and costume and material Council leader Lynn Williams said the centre had several unseen new items including the Charlie Cairoli Collection of Circus and Performance, which celebrates the resort's world famous clown. 'Unique town' Williams said she was delighted the facility, which was opened in 2008 by Sir Ken Dodd, had reopened its doors."It's a fantastic resource for local and family history as well as a place for curious people to uncover the stories of Blackpool's past and discover how they have helped to shape our unique town," she said."There are several new additions to the collections which people won't have had the opportunity to explore until now."This includes a rare 18th-century handbill from 1775, which is part of the Cairoli Collection and documents an extraordinary performance by two sets of twins, who performed before King Louis XVI and Queen Marie new acquisition is the original wig and schoolboy cap worn by Wee Jimmy Krankie, which is part of a larger donation to Blackpool's Showtown Museum of costumes from the popular comedy duo, The Krankies.A costume worn by entertainer Sir Norman Wisdom, who performed several times in Blackpool, is also a new addition. Originally called the Local and Family History Centre, the attraction was renamed the History Centre in October 2022, as part of the project development with Blackpool's Showtown Museum, it got its new name, Showtown History Centre. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
