Blackpool’s Showtown museum of fun and entertainment called on little people to help lead a pioneering new project. They are hoping to celebrate the overlooked but extraordinary contributions of performers with dwarfism to Blackpool’s rich circus heritage.
History of Blackpool Tower Circus
For over 130 years, the Blackpool Tower Circus has showcased the finest circus artistes, including talented performers with dwarfism whose humour, athleticism, and stage presence captivated audiences.
Now Showtown aims to spotlight these histories and celebrate their artistry and creativity – but the museum needs help from little people themselves.
With support from the Collections Fund – delivered by the Museums Association, Showtown invited people with dwarfism, along with their families and friends, to join a new community group.Together they explore how these performers have been represented in Blackpool’s collections and help shape how their stories are told.
Showtown hopes to create an honest narrative
Showtown is operated and managed by Blackpool Operating Company Ltd, on behalf of Blackpool Council.
Jill Carruthers, exhibitions manager at Showtown, said when the call for little people to participate first went out:
This is your chance to take the lead in interpreting your history, ensuring that lived experience drives how these stories are understood now and in the future.
The project will create a safe and inclusive space for open conversation, reflection and creativity, guided by you.
Thousands of artefacts that need to be handled sensitively
The Blackpool Tower Circus Collection includes thousands of posters, photographs, programmes, and postcards that reveal the incredible variety of acts that made the circus the beating heart of Blackpool’s entertainment.
However, some materials contain outdated and potentially offensive language. Showtown wants to handle these with sensitivity and care.
Participants will be supported throughout the process, with context, guidance, and space for reflection provided by the project team.
Jill about why a call went out for little people to help:
We’re at the beginning of this journey and are committed to shaping the project in partnership with people who have lived experience of dwarfism. Their insights will guide how these stories are interpreted and ensure they are told with respect, accuracy, and pride.
Little People UK is happy to work with Showtown on this project
When asked for their reaction, Rebecca from Little People UK said:
We are very much aware of this project, and working closely with Blackpool Showtown to ensure the representation of people with dwarfism/Little People is positive, celebrating the history of little people in Blackpool (particularly in the entertainment sector) whilst also showing the honest side of what happened (some of which may be negative), at the same time the aim is to educate and bring to light the positive representation we would like in today’s society, with the understanding we can not erase history, but we can change the future.
After a press release by Local Democracy reporter Richard Hunt.
