Ringling Bros circus takes final bow for ‘Greatest show on Earth’ after 146 years
Ringling’s parent company, Feld Entertainment, announced in January it would close the show, citing declining attendance and high operating costs
The clowns, animal acts and acrobats of the storied Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus took their final bow at an arena outside New York on Sunday, with a space-themed balancing act kicking off the farewell performance of the “Greatest Show on Earth” after nearly 150 years.
Capping a legacy that stretches back to 19th century showman P.T. Barnum, the circus bade adieu at a series of shows this weekend at the newly refurbished Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale on New York’s Long Island.
“It’s incredibly heartwarming to see all of you that have come out for the final performance,” Kenneth Feld, chairman and chief executive of parent Feld Entertainment Inc, said at the show, which was sold out and live streamed on the Ringling web site.
He said more than 250 million people had seen Ringling’s shows and added: “It’s the people, it’s the spirit, the dedication, the perseverance of everyone that you’ll see here tonight that makes the impossible possible.”
Spacesuited tightrope walkers Laszlo Simet and his wife, Olga, launched the final show on a slowly revolving wedge-shaped wheel. Among the stunts, she did a headstand on his shoulders and Laszlo Simet rode a bicycle around the wheel’s rim while carrying his wife and another performer.
