Mooky and Mr Boo: Carrying on a 130-Year Circus Tradition
For more than two decades, no visit to Blackpool Tower Circus has felt complete without the antics of Mooky and Mr Boo. The much-loved clowning duo have become synonymous with one of Blackpool's most famous attractions, entertaining millions of visitors while carrying forward a circus tradition that stretches back to the opening of the Tower Circus in 1894. At the heart of the partnership is Mooky, the stage name of Laci Endresz Jr., a performer born into one of Europe's oldest circus families. Circus life has been part of the Endresz family for generations, and Laci first stepped into the...
The Passing of Cyril Critchlow, the Magician Who Preserved Blackpool’s Entertainment History
Few people have done more to preserve Blackpool’s entertainment history than Cyril Critchlow. A magician, author, collector, theatre proprietor and local councillor, he dedicated much of his life to ensuring that the stories of Blackpool’s theatres, piers, performers and attractions would survive for future generations. Through his collecting, writing and campaigning, he became one of the town’s most important historians and a central figure in preserving its rich showbusiness legacy. Born in Staffordshire on 15 November 1922, Critchlow moved to Blackpool with his family during the 1930s after they took over a guest house on Hull Road. Growing up in...
Charlie Cairoli Statue moved to the Tower
The statue of Charlie Cairoli was initially placed in Stanley Park in Blackpool to honour his contributions to the town's entertainment scene. But because of his special connection to the Blackpool Tower Circus, the statue was moved to the Blackpool Tower. This relocation was to better recognise his legacy by putting the statue at the place where he made such a big impact. The Blackpool Tower is a historic landmark, and its Tower Circus has been a central part of Blackpool’s entertainment since it opened in 1894. Moving Cairoli's statue to the Blackpool Tower allows visitors to celebrate his work...