Caroline Hall
LightNews LightNews
banner
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Caroline Hall
@lilaclillian.bsky.social
380 followers 840 following 99 posts
Museums, archives & evidence-based learning. Drawn to the flicker of old images, the glow of forgotten stages and stories waiting to live again.
Posts Replies Media Videos
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Three venues. Three legendary shows. Blackpool, 1949.

✨Water Follies with Tarzan - Johnny Weissmuller
✨Coconut Grove with Jewel & Warriss, and teenage Julie Andrews
✨The Orchid Room with rising Frankie Howerd

Blackpool fun at its glittering best

#Variety #JohnnyWeissmuller #FrankieHowerd
Blue and orange cover for Water Follies with photo of Johnny Weissmuller from his role as Tarzan. Orange and blue back cover for Coconut Grove with photo of Jewel & Warriss. Pink and white cover for the Orchid Room on Central pier with three headshots of Frankie Howerd with three different expressions.
September 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
What is it about autumn & winter that draws us to mystery? This 1893 Blackpool programme feels perfect for the season: hand-painted scenery, limelight effects, and the title ‘A Detective’. Proof that the thrill of suspense never goes out of style.

#VictorianStage #BlackpoolHistory #FromTheArchives.
Page from an 1893 programme for the play ‘The Detective’ A page from an 1893 programme at the Blackpool Winter Gardens for the play ‘The Detective’ with the acts listed incl. The Trap and The Sham Nurse.
September 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Flip it over 👀 . This 1942 Blackpool Palace poster for Dorchester Follies hides another performer’s face on the back.

I love the little discoveries you make when researching in collections. I know it’s about paper rationing but I want to know who this was!
Maurice Winnick Productions present Dorchester Follies Sepia print of an unknown male face in a hat
August 17, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Reposted by Caroline Hall
sciencemuseum.org.uk
🌞 After soaking up the sun, keep the fun going in Power Up, our hands-on gaming experience, this weekend!

The perfect post-park hangout, located only 10 mins away from Hyde Park.

🎮 Book your tickets now and let’s play! bit.ly/43lbm7C
May 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Caroline Hall
musichallsociety.bsky.social
Excting events ahead!
Check out our 2025 programme - from fascinating talks to seaside fun in Eastbourne ! Everyone's welcome.
britishmusichallsociety.com/events
Events | British Music Hall Society
Our events are sociable affairs and open to everyone, come along and join us!
britishmusichallsociety.com
May 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
🎉🙌Permanent Exhibition of the Year!!! 🥳👏

“…lively, engaging, and unapologetically fun – the museum equivalent of a thrilling arcade”

I’m so excited for this to be happening for #Blackpool right now. Thank you to all who made the joy that is #Showtown
awards.museumsandheritage.com/awards/2025-...
Permanent Exhibition of the Year - Museums + Heritage Awards
awards.museumsandheritage.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Classic. I love it. And I can’t wait to see Jeffrey Holland at Blackpool Comedy Festival!

www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/whats-on/eve...
May 7, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Reposted by Caroline Hall
seasidenetwork.bsky.social
We're excited to announce that on 6 June we'll be co-hosting our first day symposium with @hbap1924.bsky.social on Recognising Seaside Heritage. We've got speakers from around the coast and across the heritage sector discussing the challenges and sharing experience hbap.org.uk/recognising-...
April 2, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Reposted by Caroline Hall
harrietatkinson.bsky.social
Studentship available to study MA Curating Collections and Heritage. Deadline 30th June 2025.

Open to applicants from the African or Asian diaspora or a marginalised ethnicity. The course is a collaboration between Brighton & Hove Museums and University of Brighton. Further info: lnkd.in/e8CJhtey
April 27, 2025 at 2:31 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
This image was in a folder titled unknown female performers in our Cyril Critchlow Collection. The words in the background make me think this could be Coney Island?
#Blackpool #Collections #ConeyIsland
Woman in tights, shorts, tunic, cloak and feathered hat facing away from the camera. A carousel is in the background.
April 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Five years of closure, three collection moves, one new museum and and six months of recant and we are there. Time to celebrate with my amazing team.
April 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
A startling item from the #Cairoli collection highlighting the history of performance. We used this in the recent press campaign for the relaunch of the #Showtown history centre. I still find the French royal court association fascinating. I’ve put the google translation in the alt text.
By permission of Mr. Lamman Two twin brothers and two twin sisters Unique spectacle due to their perfect resemblance Two twin brothers and two twin sisters have just arrived, who have never appeared in this city; they are so like-minded and of such a similar size, especially the women. These four people sing pleasantly in German and French; they have exactly the same voice. The two twin brothers felt such a strong sympathy for each other that they married their twin sisters on October 7, 1773, in the parish church of St. Peter the Old, in Strasbourg. These four twins present two marriages, and a spectacle so curious and so extraordinary, that such a natural history has never appeared in the world. They had the honor of being presented to His Majesty, on October 1 last, in his apartment, by the Duke of Villequier, First Gentleman of the Bedchamber; and to the Queen, by the Countess of Noailles, First Lady-in-Waiting; and to the entire Royal family, whose admiration they have earned, and have deserved the applause of all the Princes, Princesses, and Lords of the Court. On February 19, 1775, Count de Burgaw, brother of the Queen, honored them with his presence and was very pleased. On July 30, they were presented to HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Lorraine, etc., at his Castle of Tervuren. These four twins will go to the houses where they are requested, giving them one hour's notice. They may be seen from 9:00 a.m. until noon where they are staying, and from noon until 5:00 p.m. in town, and then from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the lodge. Two steps will be taken for the first seats, one for the second, and a plaquette for the third. People of distinction will give according to their generosity. They are accommodated at the Tete d'Or, on the square.
April 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Well, this is it. The Showtown History Centre reopens Friday 25th April. I’m breathing a huge sigh of relief and happiness that we made it. I’m so grateful to all who have supported the process of safeguarding Blackpool’s collection and I can’t wait to see people using them again.
Tower Palace Grand combined programme and journal
April 16, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Reposted by Caroline Hall
sghetorg.bsky.social
Our #ArtDecoSouthsideAlive! project recasts local icons as beacons of inspiration & action!
✏️ Urban Sketching classes
🏢 Schools Art Deco Model Challenge
🎙️ Oral Histories community stories
🐾 Guided walks for Liveable Neighbourhoods
📚 Guidebook fusing past & future themes
Stay tuned #ArtDeco #Glasgow
October 4, 2024 at 6:53 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
We’re on the last few weeks now until we reopen the Showtown History Centre after 5 years of closure. We’re working on the books in our study collection. This little gem from #WorldWar1 is brilliant. Published in #Blackpool in 1918 by the R.A.M.C.
Illustrated cover of book featuring a man in the Royal Army Medical Corps, an image of Blackpool Promenade and the title ‘Spud Wilkins at Blackpool’ by Sergio H. V. Verrells.
April 7, 2025 at 7:25 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
I have been trying desperately to not put too much on about Blackpool in Ww2 because of the museums coming exhibition. At last it’s here, opening next Tuesday. Can’t wait to enjoy it and see others do so too! www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/news/bright-...
Bright Lights in Dark Times
Showtown’s new exhibition reveals Wartime Blackpool’s Spirit. Opening 2nd April.
www.showtownblackpool.co.uk
March 28, 2025 at 12:36 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Bit of break while planning the launch of the history centre. Good news - all of Blackpool’s collections are unpacked and on shelves. This little gem from 1900 shows the Kauffman Troupe of Trick Cyclists from the Pavilion Winter Gardens. Fabulous!
#collections #victorian
Three b&w images of seven people on a bike, a lady on a bike in Victorian clothing and a portrait of a man with a moustache and a tunic covered in medals. Cover of a guide to Blackpool with gold print and illuminated title in red and blue at the top of the page reading Programme of entertainments, railway and tram guide.
February 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Gorgeous drawing of the Empire Theatre of Varieties from when it was auctioned in 1900. It’s lovely to see this because it went through so many face lifts and renames until it became the Syndicate Nightclub. #collections #Blackpool #Theatres #musichall
Engraving of the Empure Theatre, an ornate Victorian building, looking down Church Street with figures in Victorian dress passing in front.
January 31, 2025 at 7:26 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
I love this. Image of the site of #Blackpool Illuminated advertisement in the Place de Brouckère in Brussels Belgium. I’ve never seen an image of the sign in place but I would love to. There were no limits to the ambition.
#collection #illuminations #brussels
Box containing unbound page from album with an early 20th image of a square in Brussels and underneath a street map of the location of the square. Hand written text reading ‘site of corporations illuminated advertisement in Brussels.
January 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
For years dad told me Blackpool Tower was built on cotton bales which his grandma told him. Finally I have seen evidence this story was not true. Not told my dad because his childhood memory of his grandma is precious. This is a schedule of works for the building of #Blackpool Tower.
#collections
Typed page describing the foundation works for Blackpool tower.
January 28, 2025 at 5:07 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Advertising from Blackpool was always fun and specifically designed to its placement location. The language and the designs changed over the years but not the #Blackpool optimism. This one is for Stratford on Avon people, as if you couldn’t guess. 😂
#Collections #Shakespeare
Flyer reading: “To B. Or not to B.? That is the question.” There can only be one answer when “B” stands for Blackpool. Its breezes cure the ills that Flesh is Heir to, and its pleasures make a Visit a Consummation devoutly to be wished. No gloomy Hamlet but the liveliest of pleasure cities.
January 22, 2025 at 4:49 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Not from unpacking but from a kind donation. 100s of images from #Blackpool councils engineering department in the 1950s and 1960s that got forgotten then rescued. This small wallet contains images of traffic congestion and I can’t wait for them to be properly digitised.
#collections #photography
January 17, 2025 at 4:25 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
Plenty of people around me loved these collections when we unpacked but as someone who struggles to bake a cookie they just looked like stress to me. Still thought I would share as Burton’s was so famous in Blackpool. #collections #blackpool #baking
Front page of icing book with photograph of large pink iced tower cake. Front page with the text: North Edition Cake Making Icing and Breads by George F Burton (gold medalist) Index page on notebook of baking and icing conference 1932
January 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
lilaclillian.bsky.social
The glazing on this frame didn’t make it but it’s a lovely dedicated signed engraving of Teresa Carreño. I’m guessing this means the Venezuelan pianist performed in #Blackpool though I haven’t had a chance to check yet and I haven’t had time translate either. So much to do!
#Collections #piano
Close up of engraving of woman in long black late Victorian dress in cracked frame.
January 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Caroline Hall
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
'Saturday begins one of the most hotly anticipated weekends in Bradford, which also became the world’s first Unesco city of film in 2009: the reopening of the beloved Science and Media Museum, which has been treated to a much-needed revamp thanks to a £6m investment.'
‘The scale is blowing my mind’: Bradford ready to shift perceptions as city of culture
From a spectacular theatrical opening to Afrobeat brass bands via David Hockney and Wallace and Gromit, the city has big plans
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2025 at 7:35 AM