A circus tradition since 1741

Timeline

1. 1741

   An ancestor walks the tightrope at Empress Maria Theresa’s coronation as "King" of Hungary in Pressburg (Bratislava) on 25 June 1741. As thanks he receives a gold chain — and the family takes the stage name Goldkette.

2. 1898

   The Goldkette family arrives in Sweden. In 1901 François Goldkette takes the lead and runs the operation as Cirkus G François. The family winters in Gävle in 1914–1915.

3. 1929

   François Goldkette’s four sons — Hermann, Carl, Bruno and Tini — break through internationally as the clown act "4 Bronetts" in Vienna, London and New York. The stage name eventually becomes the family’s Swedish surname.

4. 1937

   Cirkus Scott is founded by the four Bronett brothers. The name comes from a British circus man, and the inaugural season has a distinctly British flavour with kilts and bagpipes. Carl and Bruno both pass away that autumn — Hermann and Tini carry on with the widows.

5. 1952

   Käthe Bronett, born Frühling, becomes sole owner and runs Cirkus Scott for 30 years. Under her leadership the circus becomes a Swedish national institution, with the first national TV broadcast on SVT in 1954.

6. 1982–1994

   François Bronett takes over from his mother Käthe. His signature line "May I ask for the greatest possible silence" enters Swedish public consciousness. He passes away suddenly in Monte Carlo in January 1994.

7. 1994–2002

   Brothers Henry and Robert Bronett take over after their father’s death. In 1995 they jointly found CirkusPrinsessan — a competition based on an idea from François.

8. 2002–2003

   Robert leaves the partnership in 2002. Henry runs one final season in 2003 and then decides to wind down regular operations.

9. 2004

   The Levade Noble Horse Gala series premieres in Copenhagen, becoming a TV special and DVD release. Robert produces.

10. 2011–2012

    Robert Bronett relaunches Cirkus Scott. First major show on Gärdet in Stockholm in August 2011, followed by the 75th anniversary tour in 2012 — the largest in the circus’s history, with Europe’s largest big top (4,000 m²) and 142 performances in 21 cities.