World mourns a circus great, appeared in 'Octopussy'

One of the greats of the circus world died peacefully on Sunday, mourned by his high-flying family, fellow tumbling acrobats and a James Bond producer - reports the Surrey Comet.

Kidnapped by acrobats performing in Djaama Al Ifna (the Square of Death) in Marrakech when he was a child, Ali Hassani travelled the world, learned 11 languages, including Swedish and Portuguese, and trained hundreds of performers.

For 17 years up until 1997, he ran the Big Top circus spectacular at Chessington World of Adventures - the UK’s first non-animal performing circus - with songs, dance and illusion.

He died aged 82, at his home in Ruxley Lane, West Ewell, leaving a legacy which included decades of fostering children for Kingston Council.

An estimated 1,000 men from his native Morocco have worked for him through the years, leaving their homes to pursue their fame and fortune under his renowned tutelage.

He also ran a circus at Alton Towers, appeared on Paul Daniels’ magic show and, with his family, appeared in Octopussy, befriending James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, then 22, in the process.

Barbara Broccoli said: “Ali Hassani was a real showman filled with vitality and passion for his profession. He and his wife were devoted to each other and I have fond memories of working with them on Octopussy.”

His first wife Tamara was from entertainment royalty, the daughter of Coco the Clown, probably the most famous clown in British history.

Mr Hassani, a Muslim who worshipped at Kingston Mosque in recent years, later shared meals with Coco, alias Nicolai Polakovs, a Jew, in the one London restaurant which could serve them both.

Daughter Zayna, 45, an aerial acrobat, now lives in Cheam and teaches a circus school in Epsom with her Hungarian husband Csaba.

She said: “He was very humble. He was always there to help a hand with others around.

“I couldn’t wish for a better dad and I have always told him that. What unbelievable parents I had.”

Her father did not talk much about how he came to leave his village near Marrakech with a troupe of acrobats, but she said: “He used to run and watch as a child and the tumblers said ‘do you want to do this?’ and he was quite cheeky apparently and said ‘yes’ and they actually took him away with them.

“He never saw his family again. I know he came from about 13 brothers and sisters and his father was the head of the village.”

Zayna and her sisters Susu and Mina, grew up travelling around Europe but always returning to England, where Mr Hassini had settled.

In Morocco, acrobats are seen as celebrities and no one is more well-known among Moroccan acrobats.

Mohammed Boujraf, who flew from Germany for the funeral and bases his own circus lessons on what Mr Hassini taught him, said: “Everybody knew his name. He was very famous. It was a dream to meet him.”

Another pupil, Mohammed Khila, 39, who now lives in Surbiton, described the thrill of receiving the call inviting him to join a circus with the highest reputation for excellence.

He said: “It was brilliant. It was the best time of my life for five years. I wasn’t interested in how much he was going to pay me. We did juggling, pyramids, tumbling.

“If you go anywhere in the acrobat world and say you worked for Ali Hassini they know about him.”

Ali Ibrahim, 45, who lives at the mosque and was an acrobat for eight years, said: “He was a very good person. He always used to help people who wanted to do something in their life.”

Abdesamad, the iman of Kingston mosque gave an address on Tuesday morning paying tribute to Mr Hassani.

He said: “I worked with him for a season at Chessington. He was a man with character and principles.

“He provided us with facilities to pray. One of his lorries was converted into a mosque. He had no fear about what life might turn up.”

When a storm wiped away virtually all of the circus, destroying his life’s work, his upbeat attitude astounded his acrobats.

Mohammed Boujraf said: “One night we woke up and there was nothing. If you are a businessman you should collapse. He still was positive and acting as if nothing happened. He was making jokes with us. He had hope.”

But he kept his performers on their toes with his demands for perfection.

Mohammed Khila said: “For instance if you had to do 10 somersaults and you did nine he would say ‘Why did you do nine? When I pay you should I give you nine instead of 10? No.’ “But I didn’t mind because I knew he just wanted to teach me the way he had been taught.”

Ibrahim Sorr, 39, who lives in Raynes Park, said: “He didn’t mess around. He went through every detail - the way you stand, the way you tumble. He gave you courage as well. You were scared to do something wrong.”

But his discipline was delivered with a warm sense of humour.

On one occasion after one of his charges performed a slovenly 10 pushups, Mr Hassani dropped down and did 29 push-ups, before standing up and saying simply: “I am 67.”

Tim Wells, strategic manager of fostering at Kingston Council, came to the funeral to pay his tribute to another side of Mr Hassani’s life.

He said: “I have known Souad and Ali as foster carers for Kingston. I know for a number of years Ali was known as a very warm, kind and energetic man, very committed to the care of the children he looked after. It was remarkable his generosity.”

He married Souad, who met Mr Hassani while visiting his sister in Chessington, after Tamara died in 1988.

She said: “He was a wonderful man. I don’t think I have ever seen such a gentleman. He always gave to people. He never wanted for any favour at all. We never had a single argument for 20 years.”

Ali Hassani left three daughters, a 16-year-old son, grandchildren and a great-grandchild. His burial, which was attended by circus directors from across the country, took place at Surbiton Cemetery on Tuesday after a service at Kingston Mosque.

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