Few performers have pushed the limits of daring quite like Blackpool-born escapologist Karl Bartoni. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Bartoni built a reputation as one of Britain’s most accomplished escape artists, combining traditional magic with breathtaking public stunts that drew huge crowds and cemented his place in Blackpool’s entertainment history. Bartoni developed an interest in magic from an early age. Fascinated by illusion and showmanship, he immersed himself in the art of conjuring before discovering the dramatic world of escapology. Inspired by legendary performers such as Harry Houdini and later encouraged by the famous Australian escapologist Murray, who spent his retirement in Blackpool, Bartoni devoted himself to mastering the dangerous art of escaping from chains, handcuffs, ropes and locked restraints.
His performances soon became renowned for their scale and spectacle. Rather than limiting himself to theatre stages, Bartoni took his escapes into public spaces, where the risks were greater and the audiences much larger. His most famous achievement came in 1983 when he became the first person ever officially permitted to perform an escape while suspended by his ankles from the top of Blackpool Tower. Hanging more than 400 feet above the Promenade, he freed himself from heavy restraints in front of thousands of spectators below, creating one of the most memorable publicity events in the resort’s modern history.
In the following year, Brian Cartmell put an inflatable King Kong on Blackpool Tower as a promotional event for First Leisure, a company owned by Trevor Hemmings. Then he got Karl Bartoni to appear with it for some media attention. Karl asked a friend and his former assistant, Lorraine Colclough, to play Fay Wray’s role as the damsel in distress for the press preview launch. Click this link to see a wonderful video on YouTube.
Wedding top of Blackpool Tower. The High Society wedding of the year, as escapologist Karl Bartoni marries his sweetheart Wendy Stokes, suspended 400 ft the top of Blackpool Tower. Thousands watched from the prom below. 27 May 1985
The Tower became closely associated with Bartoni’s career. Two years after his famous escape, in 1985, he returned to the landmark for an equally extraordinary occasion when he married Wendy Stokes while suspended in a cage high above the ground. The unusual ceremony attracted widespread media attention and demonstrated once again Bartoni’s flair for combining danger with entertainment.
Escapologist Karl Bartoni and his bride Wendy Stokes, cradled in flowers for the blessing of their forthcoming wedding, suspended from the Blackpool Tower above a congregation of holidaymakers on the promenade below. 27 May 1985
Although many remembered the spectacular outdoor stunts, Bartoni was also an accomplished magician who spent decades performing at holiday venues and events across Britain. His knowledge of magical history and escapology earned him great respect within the magic community, while his friendship with Murray helped preserve part of Blackpool’s rich magical heritage for future generations.
In recent years, Bartoni has continued to share his remarkable career through exhibitions, interviews and historical projects. Showtown Museum has documented his life in a dedicated digital feature exploring both his circus years and his evolution into one of Britain’s best-known escapologists, recognising his contribution to Blackpool’s long-standing association with magic and variety entertainment.
Cell Door in Showtown Museum. Photo by © Karl Bartoni
Blackpool has long been famous for producing entertainers willing to attempt the extraordinary, and Karl Bartoni stands proudly among them. From impossible escapes to death-defying performances high above one of Britain’s most recognisable landmarks, his career reflects the bold spirit of a resort built on spectacle, excitement and unforgettable live entertainment.
Escapologist Karl Bartoni and his bride Wendy Stokes, cradled in flowers for the blessing of their forthcoming wedding, suspended from the Blackpool Tower above a congregation of holidaymakers on the promenade below. 27 May 1985
