It quickly became apparent that he had a natural gift for comedy and heworked hard to develop his act as a clown
Robert (Bobby) Fossett, who died on July 18th, aged 77, entertained generations of Irish children performing as Bobo the Clown in the family-owned circus.
The circus has toured continuously since 1888 when it was founded by Frank Lowe of Mallow, Co Cork. Lowe, a ventriloquist and juggler, had performed with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in the United States. Basing his circus in Carradoyne, Claremorris, Co Mayo, he named it Powell and Clarke's Circus, styling himself Dr Frank William Powell.
In 1917, Edward Fossett, of the famous English circus dynasty, came to Ireland and worked with several circuses before marrying Lowe's daughter Mona in 1924. Robert, the first of six children (three boys and three girls), was born on January 11th, 1925.
When Edward Fossett took charge of the circus he renamed it Heckenberg's Berlin Tower Circus. The Fossetts were renowned for their horsemanship, a tradition that Edward, an accomplished acrobat and bareback rider, kept alive in Ireland.
When he was six, Robert Fossett was mauled by a bear during a matinee performance at Drogheda. He was walking around the outside of the ring when the bear attacked him, inflicting injuries to his face and head that required 12 stitches.
He made his first professional appearance when he was 10. Versatility was an essential requirement in a small family circus, particularly during the war years when it became impossible to hire acts from abroad. Robert Fossett performed as a bareback rider and wire walker as well as a "joey" (clown).
It quickly became apparent that he had a natural gift for comedy and he worked hard to develop his act as a clown. But his career was interrupted by the Emergency when he was called on to work the family farm, now located in Ballinglen, Tinahely, Co Wicklow, in order to comply with the compulsory tillage regulations. During the winters he travelled the country, showing films in parish halls.
On the outbreak of the second World War the name of the circus was changed because of its suggestion of German origins. It now toured as Edward Fossett's Circus Cavalcade.
When the war ended, Robert Fossett returned to the circus on a fulltime basis and added another string to his bow by devising a high-wire comedy act. As well as performing in the ring, Robert Fossett kept the show on the road as transport manager.
This was an onerous task in the days when circuses visited towns and villages for one-night stands and were thus on the move daily.
On his father's death in 1951 the circus passed to Robert Fossett and his brothers, Edward and John. They were Europe's youngest circus proprietors. In addition to his other responsibilities Robert Fossett became programme director. In 1952 the brothers sold the Tinahely farm and established winter quarters at Lucan, Co Dublin. In August, 2000, Robert Fossett, the only surviving brother, was present when a plaque was unveiled in Tinahely to mark the family's association with the area.
A perfectionist, he constantly sought to improve his act as Bobo the Clown, building his trademark comedy car which was the first of its kind in Britain or Ireland. The car later featured in the Dublin St Patrick's Day parade.
When the circus was off the road, he brought his high-wire act to Britain, where he performed with the Robert Brothers' Circus and worked the Moss Empire variety circuit. He was also a guest on Billy Smart's Television Circus. With other family members he also performed in Christmas circus promotions at the Royal Hippodrome and the Grove Theatre, Belfast. As his popularity grew, he appeared as Bobo the Clown in several film and television productions and was featured in advertising campaigns.
During the 1960s the Fossett brothers introduced an elevated ring, on which both artistes and animals performed, and engaged the singer, Nita Norry, to top the bill. Links with the Kilkenny Beer Festival and the Rose of Tralee Festival were also developed. In 1968, Fossetts celebrated the 200th anniversary of the modern circus with a strong combination of house and imported acts.
Robert Fossett made a major contribution to circus in Ireland, not only through his performances in the ring but also through encouraging and training young artistes. His marriage, late in life, to Susan Delaney brought him great happiness. He ceased performing following her death in 1987. But circus was his life and he continued to play an active role in the day-to-day running of Fossetts until he became too ill to travel. Robert Fossett is survived by his sisters Mary, Mona and Amy, and his nephews and nieces.
Robert Fossett: born 1925; died, July 2002