Robert Brothers Circus (Established 1944)
Biography
The Robert Brothers Circus was established by brothers Tommy and Bobby Roberts in Falkirk, Scotland in 1944 and became one of the most successful circuses in Britain and Ireland.
The Roberts family, which can be traced back to Sir Robert Fossett, prospered over ten generations of the family with the business tradition passing from generation to generation, down to Bobby Roberts Junior and wife Moira, who were the last owners of the circus.
The Robert Brothers Circus provided traditional circus entertainment including animal acts, and were very famous for their horses and elephants. They travelled their shows around Britain and Ireland all year round either tenting during the summer or at indoor venues through the winter with regular appearances at Kelvin Hall during the Christmas season.
During the 1970s Robert Brothers Circus provided the big top and show facilities for the televised Circus World Championships and their cicus also made several television shows for the BBC.
Bobby Jr. and Moira continued with the circus and still had elephants until circa 2011.
Found in 85 Collections and/or Records:
The Grand Theatre of Varieties Programme, week commencing Monday 24 December 1951
Hip Hip Zoo Ray Circus, presented by Robert Bros. Churchgate, Bolton. Red, white and blue illustration of flamenco dancer on top section and advertisement on the bottom on the front cover, inside programme and commercial advertising, 2p.p.
The Hippodrome Theatre Programme, Monday 30 May 1955
Dudley. Hip Hip Zoo Ray Circus. White and black type and illustration of the Hippodrome building on a blue background with white stars on the front cover, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 4p.p.
The Opera House Programme, Week commencing 16 July 1951
The Festival Circus by arrangement with The Robert Bros. Manchester. Red, black and white illustration of the Opera House building with people and cars outside on the front cover, inside the programme over several pages and commercial advertising, 6p.p.
Theatre Royal Glasgow Programme, Two weeks commencing Monday 2 July 1951
The Festival Circus arranged by Robert Bros. Blue, black and white illustration of the Royal theatre on front cover, inside programme and commercial advertising with black and white illustrations, on back cover, black and white photographs of theatres and text, 6p.p
Trade and Advertising Material, c1900 - 1999
A range of items of promotion and advertising from a range of circus companies and performers, including artistes' photographs with act descriptions used for seeking employment in circuses and pamphlets advertising independent performances and circus companies' literature and souvenirs for public distribution and promotion including Gerry Cottle's Circus, Belle Vue, Blackpool Tower, Bertram Mills Circus, Gandey's, Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey, Knie and many more.