Ringling Bros. Circus To Return, Without Animals.
The company announced its return on
May 18. Its last performance was five years ago.
"The Greatest Show on Earth" will kick off a 50-city tour on Sept. 28, 2023.
Ringling has always evolved: Logically, in order to be successful for 146 years, you constantly have to change, Kenneth Feld, Feld Entertainment CEO,
via 'The New York Times'.
It has been through every economic upturn and downturn that we’ve had, Kenneth Feld, Feld Entertainment CEO,
via 'The New York Times'.
It’s been through two pandemics now; it always adapted, Kenneth Feld, Feld Entertainment CEO,
via 'The New York Times'.
Ringling Bros. competitors say
the move is a mistake.
They can call it a circus, but I think their audience is going to
be disappointed, Justin Loomis, Loomis Bros. Circus,
via 'The New York Times'.
When they arrive and purchase their ticket and sit through the show, they are going to be like: ‘Where were the animals?’, Justin Loomis, Loomis Bros. Circus,
via 'The New York Times'.
Circus historians, however, say that the industry must adapt to ever-shifting technologies.
But the circus has to respond to the world around it in a really flexible way, Jennifer Lemmer Posey, Mable Ringling Museum of Art, via 'The New York Times'.
We carry these computers in our hands and it is so hard to awe us in the way that it used to be, Jennifer Lemmer Posey, Mable Ringling Museum of Art, via 'The New York Times'.
Animal rights advocates say the move is an acknowledgment of the affects circus confinement places upon animals.
Feld’s decision to bring the circus back without animals sends a very clear message to
the industry... , Rachel Mathews, PETA Foundation,
via 'The New York Times'.
... that the circus can dazzle audiences with willing human performers and that no animal needs to be exploited, Rachel Mathews, PETA Foundation,
via 'The New York Times'