The most famous circus name in the world, off the road now for three seasons, is gearing to go back on the road, projected to open as early as late 2021.
“We were so successful with the Monster Jam franchise,” said Kenneth Feld to Ernest Albrecht, “ that we have taken that model and will use it in designing what the new Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily Greatest show on Earth will be.”
Albrecht’s exclusive interview with Feld can be read in full, in the current on-line issue of Spectacle. Kudos to Albrecht!
This sudden turn of events upends widespread popular belief that the circus was done and gone for good. Many of its animal-rights critics cheered the news, and so did many of those in major media. As well, a growing consensus was reported on that circus itself is now a thing of the past. Were Ringling to roar back, the “ageless delight” might surprise and astound the world. Lord knows, it is in dire need of a saving showman.
Turns out the Feld of Felds has not been idle these past years, but regularly engaged in talks with many creative people from far and wide, over how to reshape the circus for today — whatever can be defined as “today,” it changes so fast.
Why did Feld close the show in 2017? He places much of the blame on economic and logistic hurdles — a claim that sounds a lot like what John Ringling Norh bemoaned when he shut down the tents back in 1956 and moved the whole thing indoor. The principle culprit: Trains. Rail rates became prohibitively expansive, and a late train into the next town could cost the show missed performances.
What is so puzzling is that Feld kept his two 60-car monster trains on the tracks as long as he did. It never made sense to me. He could have easily taken to the road. Perhaps this Feld, contrary to a cynical view of him held by a certain sector of the circus world – heartless – fell under his own circus fan spell, enamored of sheer size, emotionally unable to let go?
"It is everything we do and always has been. It was the foundational cornerstone that allowed us to do these other things."
Feld spoke of how the circus, once a vast variety show in three rings, today faces entertainments more focused on particular items. I thought of our circus-theatre troupes, having reduced the lineup to acrobatics and story telling on a stage. “Everyone has become a specialist instead of part of a bigger whole like the circus once was.”
“At one time, Ringling Bros. was all things to all people. That has changed and consequently the way we look at things, and what we see now is that everything is more narrowly focused. “
Yes, and that was the dazzling essence of circus.
So, then, might the new Big Show become mostly an aerial thrill show? Ground bound acrobatic display? Modern-day petting zoo? Since the monster trucks deliver big thrills and profits, all of which seems to have given Feld a new confidence in himself, I’d vote for something closer to extreme sports than acro ballet behind masks.
But the idea of a franchise is what gives me the gravest pause over a comeback. The Felds have tried twice to sell bits of circus along these lines. And failed. They opened circus stores, patterned after Disney, marketing various circus souvenirs. The public has always regarded circus as that thing that comes around maybe once a year. And two of the circus’s once-enduring, indeed defining staples — clowns and animals – might be problematical store window displays.
Can Kenneth Feld reinvent the circus sufficient to lure back a waning populist fan base back?
Had I the chance to ask him but one question, this it would be:
“How, Mr. Feld, do you define circus?”
The 2017 closing gave him a chance “to see where it stands in people’s minds. There is still, we feel, a demand for it, and we think we can make it into a larger franchise”.
I hope he is right. These Felds, commercially speaking one of John Ringling North’s last great finds, had kept the great circus on the road for half a century. They have millions if not billions to play with. Most of all, I believe in the positive, that Kenny Fled is still possibly the smartest showman over sawdust. “It will emerge as the new Greatest show on Earth, in a very unique manner and fashion.”
Kenneth Feld has been circusing for most of his life. He can be bold and brilliant. Can invent and make changes. And yes, can do screwy things too. And repeat them. Truth is, however, the Felds have never been great as innovators; their genius has resided in making hay and building up the already established properties of others s (Disney, Ringling, Marvel).
Perhaps this time it is a matter of finding a viable blueprint by others (no wonder, he has spoken to so many people – good for him) and ballyhooing it into glory.
This marks a tremendous potential turnaround in American circus history, and one hell of a subject to blog about.
Yes, American’s greatest circus is coming to town again!
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2 comments:
Dave:
I concur. I hope that he gives it a good effort. The show under the direction of the daughters suffered in my opinion. But still they hung in there. The last few years of RBBB were not my favorites by any means, but I fondly recall some blockbuster shows produced by Feld. So have at Kenneth. The weary world eagerly awaits the rebirth of the Greatest Show on Earth!
Yes, Ron, the return of Kenneth Feld as actual producer, I have to assume, is promising, and I agree with you that he did produce some great shows. I always thought he was in charge up to the end, only to learn that he more or less walked away the last years and let his daughter run things -- I think he was caught up in the rousing crowds he was getting from the monster trucks. I take heart in his appearing to take heart in the "new" circus. Bring it on!
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