Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus "Enter the Dragon" with new themeBy CLOE CABRERA The Tampa Tribune
December 13, 2011
TAMPA -- If you think you've seen it all when it comes to the circus, the folks at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus say you haven't seen anything yet.
The 142nd installment of "The Greatest Show on Earth" promises a brand new experience under the big top with a fire-breathing theme called "Dragons."
With "Dragons," the circus showcases the Chinese "Year of the Dragon" by incorporating dragon imagery and mystic dragon folklore into the show. In Chinese astrology, 2012 is the year of the dragon.
"We're capturing the strength, courage, heart and wisdom of the dragon," said Alana Feld, executive vice president and producer of the show. "Every aspect of the show will showcase those values."
Some 142 performers will celebrate the year of the dragon, which occurs every 12 years, including old standards such as clowns and spirited ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, alongside dancers and acrobats, aerialists and daredevil motorcyclists that have delighted audiences for decades.
The new show also will feature Shaolin Kung Fu warriors from China, Cossack riders, Asian elephants and tigers.
And there's talk of a real dragon making an appearance in the show, Alana Feld said.
"There's a really, really big surprise at the end of show," said Nicole Feld, producer of the show. "A dragon will actually make an appearance in the building."
Asian elephants will fill the rings in the elephant act, and a daring tamer, Alexander Lacy, will face down 10 lions and tigers in a cage.
"You always have to have courage when entering the cage with the lions and tigers," said Lacy, who is joining the circus as a trainer for the first time. "I'm going to do some never-before-seen acts that are going to amaze and surprise the audience."
That includes having two Bengal tigers stand on top of a lion's back. Sound dangerous? Lacy says it's not.
"It appears to be dangerous, but it's not supposed to be," he said. "This is all an extension of the natural ability" of the animals.
In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture slapped the parent company of the "Greatest Show on Earth" with a record penalty for alleged animal rights violations.
Feld Entertainment Inc., which produces the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, did not admit to wrongdoing but agreed to implement new training protocols for employees who handle animals.
They agreed to pay $270,000 over allegations of violating the Animal Welfare Act on several occasions from June 2007 to August 2011, according to a USDA news release.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus runs from Jan. 4 through 8 at the St. Pete Times Forum.
The 142nd installment of "The Greatest Show on Earth" promises a brand new experience under the big top with a fire-breathing theme called "Dragons."
With "Dragons," the circus showcases the Chinese "Year of the Dragon" by incorporating dragon imagery and mystic dragon folklore into the show. In Chinese astrology, 2012 is the year of the dragon.
"We're capturing the strength, courage, heart and wisdom of the dragon," said Alana Feld, executive vice president and producer of the show. "Every aspect of the show will showcase those values."
Some 142 performers will celebrate the year of the dragon, which occurs every 12 years, including old standards such as clowns and spirited ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, alongside dancers and acrobats, aerialists and daredevil motorcyclists that have delighted audiences for decades.
The new show also will feature Shaolin Kung Fu warriors from China, Cossack riders, Asian elephants and tigers.
And there's talk of a real dragon making an appearance in the show, Alana Feld said.
"There's a really, really big surprise at the end of show," said Nicole Feld, producer of the show. "A dragon will actually make an appearance in the building."
Asian elephants will fill the rings in the elephant act, and a daring tamer, Alexander Lacy, will face down 10 lions and tigers in a cage.
"You always have to have courage when entering the cage with the lions and tigers," said Lacy, who is joining the circus as a trainer for the first time. "I'm going to do some never-before-seen acts that are going to amaze and surprise the audience."
That includes having two Bengal tigers stand on top of a lion's back. Sound dangerous? Lacy says it's not.
"It appears to be dangerous, but it's not supposed to be," he said. "This is all an extension of the natural ability" of the animals.
In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture slapped the parent company of the "Greatest Show on Earth" with a record penalty for alleged animal rights violations.
Feld Entertainment Inc., which produces the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, did not admit to wrongdoing but agreed to implement new training protocols for employees who handle animals.
They agreed to pay $270,000 over allegations of violating the Animal Welfare Act on several occasions from June 2007 to August 2011, according to a USDA news release.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus runs from Jan. 4 through 8 at the St. Pete Times Forum.
No comments:
Post a Comment