Roll up, roll up: inside the museum celebrating Blackpool's entertainment history

Showtown was originally intended to be housed in the Pavilion and Horseshoe, a grade II-listed venue in the Winter Gardens complex, but the cost of development was deemed too high. Instead, it occupies the first floor of the sleek black-and-glass Sands Building on Bank Hey Street, close to the Blackpool Tower. The ground floor gift shop and entrance are on a corner with a sea view. The upper floors are due to open soon as a five-star hotel unrelated to the museum. “Being part of the main tourism cluster is really helpful,” says Moss.

The museum was opened in March by Blackpool-born singer and Showtown patron Alfie Boe. Showtown is barely a minute’s walk from Blackpool Tower Circus, Britain’s oldest permanent circus building, which has been in continuous operation since 1894. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Showtown’s circus gallery has proved to be one of the busiest.

“Adults love it, kids love it,” says exhibitions assistant Emily Langridge. “There’s a lot of intergenerational activity happening in that space.”

Norman Barrett, who was ringmaster of the Tower Circus for 25 years, was at the opening of Showtown in his top hat and scarlet tailcoat, and has since given a talk at the venue. “Norman is here all the time,” says Langridge. “He’s been incredibly helpful to the museum. Norman was one of the first people who really helped our curators get in contact with the circus community and build connections that helped us to tell these behind-the-scenes stories that hadn’t been told before.”

‘Adults and kids love the circus gallery. There is a lot of intergenerational activity happening in that space’ – Emily Langridge, Showtown’s exhibitions assistant

“Norman is 88 and in phenomenal form,” adds Moss. “He’s been with us throughout our very long journey. It’s given him a new lease of life, really.”

Other figures associated with the museum include magician Paul Zenon, comedian Syd Little and the family of his late comic partner Eddie Large, as well as Anne Dodd, the widow of comedian Ken Dodd.

Several historic items are on loan to the Showtown from Victoria and Albert Museum, including a costume belonging to Victorian clown Whimsical Walker. Walker began his career as an eight-year-old apprentice to Pablo Fanque, Britain’s first Black circus proprietor. He went on to tour the US with Barnum and Bailey and in 1887 purchased Jumbo, billed as the world’s largest elephant, from London Zoo on behalf of PT Barnum.

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Also on display are costumes and props belonging to Britain’s most famous clown, Charlie Cairoli, who was resident funnyman at the Tower Circus for 40 years – a world record for performances at a single venue.

A life-size model tiger stands next to a poster that says “Ban the cruel circus” and reflects the controversial history of animals in the big top. “It’s not an element of the circus that you can shy away from,” says Langridge. “Showtown has tried to stay neutral and let the circus community present its own views.”

Exhibits include a ticket from the last Tower Circus show with animals, on November 3, 1990. “It’s said there was a standing ovation lasting 20 minutes at that show,” says Langridge.

In an area set out like a dressing room, posters list a roll call of light entertainment legends who played summer seasons in Blackpool, including Norman Wisdom, Frank Carson and Danny La Rue. Stan Laurel’s bowler hat is on display next to Tommy Cooper’s fez.

Showtown stands on the site of the former Palace dance hall and Blackpool’s history of dance is reflected from Victorian ballrooms to the Northern Soul craze of the 1960s and 1970s. “We’ve got a poster from the Palace on the wall and the DJ booth from the Highland Room [a hotbed of Northern Soul] in the Blackpool Mecca from about 1965,” says Langridge.

Langridge’s favourite part of the museum is the Illuminations gallery. “I think it’s because of my memories of coming down as a child and driving through the illuminations. It was incredible to learn how much work goes into creating that experience. It takes 18 months from design to illumination. That’s something I never knew as a visitor.”

As part of a wider scheme to regenerate Blackpool, local council taxpayers are given free admission. There has been a big take-up, says Moss. “We’ve had thousands and thousands of Blackpool residents come through, including many who may never have visited a museum before. It puts pride back in them in terms of what the town offers and is about. It presents their heritage and history in a very modern way.

“It appeals to all ages. From tots to older audiences who are coming for nostalgia – those who may have visited the theatres and dance halls in the past and those who are inquisitive about what their parents and grandparents may have done in Blackpool.”

Visit: showtownblackpool.co.uk