Rosaire's Circus & Zoo (Established 1904)
Dates
- Existence: Established 1904
Biography
The Rosaires are a ninth generation circus family. Rosaire’s Circus and Zoo was first established by Fred Ross (1877 - 1949) when he bought a fairground booth at Ripponden, West Yorkshire and took it on the road with his wife, a widow, Florence Berrisford, (nee Arnold) (1877 - 1972). Calling themselves ‘The Count’ (or ‘Count Rosaire’) and ‘The Countess’ (or ‘Countess Rosaire’) and buying a top for a circus a year later, their circus grew from a one-man circus to a family business. They had eight children together all of which were talented circus and variety performers: Aubrey (1904 - 1941), Dennis (1908 - 1990), Zena (1909 - 1974), Ivor (1911 - 2005), Cecilia (Born 1912), Vivian (1914 - 2003), Derrick (1916 - 2005) and Ida (1918 - 2011). Their horses were commandeered, and the circus was forced to close during the First World War. Fred Rosaire worked as a coal-miner for a time, but after the war the couple, joined by their children, began again and became one of the biggest tenting circuses in the 1940s and 1950s.
The Rosaire family were particularly renowned for their skilful animal training. Ivor became known for his elephants, Derrick for his equestrian skills and Ida for her dog acts. Meanwhile, Aubrey performed as a clown, known as Jimmy Green. Dennis was a wire walker, who performed as ‘Valento on the High Rope’. Vivian was an aerial artist, and horseback rider, known as ‘La Petit Vivienne’. Over generations, the Rosaire family grew and extended to other countries including Spain, Ireland and the United States of America and the Ross Bros Crown Circus still travels the United Kingdom.
Over generations, the Rosaire family grew and extended to other countries including Spain, Ireland and the USA and the Ross Bros Crown Circus still travels the UK.
Found in 103 Collections and/or Records:
Don Valento Business Card, c1940 - 1950
Business card for 'Don Valento on the wire' (aka Dennis Rosaire). White card, black text and illustrated with a black and white photograph of Dennis Rosaire, shown balancing on a wire. Pencil inscription on the reverse of the card reads as follows: 'Betty King 8B Morland Road, East Croydon'. 1p.
Elephant, Clown and Seven Circus Workers, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of an elephant holding a Union Jack flag, shown with an unidentified clown, and seven men, possibly circus workers (foreground). Also showing a circus tent (background).
Films, c1950 - 1959
Please notice that 178D24.4 contains scenes of animal cruelty and human fatalities. Copies of films on DVD format showing performers at various circus around the world, travelling scenes, scenic views, performers behind the scenes, film sets. Black and white and colour, sound.
Fred Rosaire and Florence Rosaire On Holiday, c1936 - 1938
Black and white postcard of Fred Rosaire (also known as 'The Count' or 'Count Rosaire') and his wife, Florence Rosaire (known as 'The Countess' or 'Countess Rosaire'), shown on a day out or on holiday, with three unidentified women, one of these women is thought to be Ruth Manning-Sanders.
Fred Rosaire and Florence Rosaire with Circus Performers, c1938 - 1945
Black and white photograph of Fred Rosaire (also known as 'The Count' or 'Count Rosaire') and his wife, Florence Rosaire (also known as 'The Countess' or 'Countess Rosaire'), with circus worker, Douglas Burrage, two clowns (one possibly 'Little Freddie'), and four unidentified children (possibly their grandchildren).
Fred Rosaire On Holiday, c1936 - 1938
Black and white postcard of Fred Rosaire (knonw as 'The Count' or 'Count Rosaire'), shown walking down a street possibly on a day out or on holiday.
Group of Circus Performers and Elephants, c1936 - 1942
Black and white photograph of a large group of circus performers and workers, with four elephants. The group is thought to include the following members of the Rosaire family: Aubrey Rosaire (dressed as a clown), Ivor Rosaire, Dennis Rosaire, Zena Rosaire (also known as Zenita Rosaire) and Cissy Rosaire (also known as Cecilia Rosaire).
Group of Five Female Circus Performers, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of five women in costume with feathers in their hair. The women shown are the same women thought to perform as 'The Kilty Lassies' with Rosaire's Circus.
Group of Five Female Circus Performers, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of five women in costume with feathers in their hair. The women shown are the same women thought to perform as 'The Kilty Lassies' with Rosaire's Circus.
Group of Women with Bag Pipes and Drums, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of a group of five women dressed in tartan, with bag pipes and drums, possibly 'The Kilty Lassies', thought to be shown during their time performing with Rosaire's Circus.