Cyril Smith 1909-1974 Born here in Costa Street, Cyril Smith began to play the piano at the age of 4 and gave his first concert in Middlesbrough Town Hall at the age of 11. in 1927, he won a national piano contest and met his future wife, Phyllis Sellick. He lost the use of his left arm in 1956 after a stroke. Cyril built a successful career playing for three hands, alongside his wife Phyllis.