Ringling Bros and Barnum Circus Closing

#28
#28
I have never been to the circus, but it is sad to see an American institution like this going away. All good things...
 
#29
#29
The end of a very interesting and entertaining chapter of American tradition. That being said, the time for the end was well due.
 
#30
#30
n_huffhines said:
So were you the ringleader or do you just wear tuxes? wtf is the story here?
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short version - I was best man for my buddy who was in the circus and married a girl in the circus. The wedding was in the center ring - he and I rode elephants in.
 
#32
#32
volinbham said:
Everyone's entitled to their opinion but the circus was so much more than the animals. The acts were really amazing and had no other venue. The tumblers, the acrobats, the clowns, the crazy Mexican family that did the original Globe of Death - all amazingly talented and slugging it out doing 10 or 11 shows a week for 50 weeks a year. Always moving. Most of the acts were family acts from all over the world. Three acts going on at most times and the band not only played music but also highlighted all the acts simultaneously.

End of an era.
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If the circus had reformatted to more human based acts and dropped the animals 2 decades ago it would have been better off today.
 
#33
#33
burntorangeVOLffle said:
If the circus had reformatted to more human based acts and dropped the animals 2 decades ago it would have been better off today.
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possibly - I think the more outdated issue was traveling to customers rather than having them come to you.

Cirque did a great job of incorporating circus elements but they pick venues and people (adults) travel to them. Cirque wouldn't make it if they tried the road trip RBBB always did.

The circus has always been for kids. You have to travel to them but it is crazy expensive. I assume all these type shows (Disney on Ice, etc.) will cease operations. Too many competing options.
 
#34
#34
volinbham said:
possibly - I think the more outdated issue was traveling to customers rather than having them come to you.

Cirque did a great job of incorporating circus elements but they pick venues and people (adults) travel to them. Cirque wouldn't make it if they tried the road trip RBBB always did.

The circus has always been for kids. You have to travel to them but it is crazy expensive. I assume all these type shows (Disney on Ice, etc.) will cease operations. Too many competing options.
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Cirque does in fact tour but nothing quite like the circus did.
 
#35
#35
volinbham said:
possibly - I think the more outdated issue was traveling to customers rather than having them come to you.

Cirque did a great job of incorporating circus elements but they pick venues and people (adults) travel to them. Cirque wouldn't make it if they tried the road trip RBBB always did.

The circus has always been for kids. You have to travel to them but it is crazy expensive. I assume all these type shows (Disney on Ice, etc.) will cease operations. Too many competing options.
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As far as costs, the circus was cheap to attend so I assume the margins were small. Add to that the circus was an annual event, like the state/county fair, So there was less urgency to attend when in town. It would be back next year after all.

Disney on Ice... not so cheap to attend. Plus it only comes around every 3-4 years.

Marvel has a big traveling stunt show that looks awesome but is pretty pricey for a family to attend as well. It takes years to make its way around the country and it only goes to big cities.

While I was never a fan of the circus I do see the romanticism of a bye gone era.
 
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#37
#37
The writing was on the wall honestly. Once they got rid of or were forced to get rid of the elephants it was only a matter of time.
 
#41
#41
Last show tonight. It's live streaming for anyone interested. I don't have the link. Sorry
 
#42
#42
burntorangeVOLffle said:
Last show tonight. It's live streaming for anyone interested. I don't have the link. Sorry
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End of an era..You ought to see their outfit in Bradenton. It is a huge place where they practiced and stored everything. I wonder how much this will effect the local economy there?
 
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