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:
Juliette Rosaire and Two Lion Cubs, c1940 - 1941
Black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged about 1, with two lion cubs.
Juliette Rosaire and Two Lion Cubs, c1940 - 1941
Black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged about 1, with two lion cubs. Includes inscription on the front of the photograph that reads as follows: 'Juliette Vivian Rosaire. To Auntie Ruth'.
Juliette Rosaire and Two Lion Cubs, c1940 - 1941
Black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged about 1, with two lion cubs.
Juliette Rosaire Dancing, 1949
Studio black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged 8, shown dancing in a sequined costume and wearing a crown, taken during a trip to Stockholm, Sweden.
Juliette Rosaire Dancing, 1949
Studio black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged 8, shown dancing in a sequined costume and wearing a crown, taken during a trip to Stockholm, Sweden.
Juliette Rosaire Dancing, 1949
Studio black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged 8, shown dancing in a sequined costume and wearing a crown, taken during a trip to Stockholm, Sweden.
Juliette Rosaire Dancing, 1949
Studio black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged 8, shown dancing in a sequined costume and wearing a crown, taken during a trip to Stockholm, Sweden.
Juliette Rosaire Dancing, 1949
Studio black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged 8, shown dancing in a sequined costume and wearing a crown, taken during a trip to Stockholm, Sweden.
Juliette Rosaire Dancing, 1949
Studio black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged 8, shown dancing in a sequined costume and wearing a crown, taken during a trip to Stockholm, Sweden.
Juliette Rosaire 'Limbering Up', 1949
Black and white photograph of Juliette Rosaire aged 8, shown doing gymnastics in a sequined costume and wearing a crown, taken during a trip to Stockholm, Sweden. Inscription on the reverse reads as follows: 'Juliette 8 years Stockholm July 1949. Limbering Up'.