Florida based Ringling Brothers announces a comeback tour without animal acts. Five years after shutting down its 3-rings circus Ringling Bros. announced Wednesday “The Greatest Show on Earth” is making a comeback. This time however, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, things will look a little different- there will not be animal acts.
“As passionate steward of Ringling, we are committed to creating a lifestyle brand that connects with families and sparks real fun 365 days, a year through live performances, digital content, consumers’ products, school curricula, youth circus arts programs & more,” said Kenneth Field, chair & chief executive officer of Field Entertainment. “We’re innovating all aspects of the live show and modernizing the franchise to create an engaging property that is built for today’s families and will last another 150 years,” he added.
Field shut down its circus in 2017 after animal activists spoke out about the treatment of elephants and other animals in the show, plus other factors, including declining ticket sales and high operating costs, contributed to the closing of the circus. According to the company, the upcoming live production of the spectacle will feature “extraordinary humans” from around the world, performing incredible acts that push the limits of human potential and create jaw-dropping moments. New technologies are designed to break down the barriers between performers and attendees. Each show will also incorporate interactive elements that will engage the audience creating a different experience. The company said, a global search for the best acts in the world is underway, to bring the show alive. The show is now taking place in Ethiopia, France, Mongolia, Argentina and the U.S.
“While this upcoming show will be different, Ringling’s logo will also be getting a makeover. The refreshed look of Ringling, has been designed to evoke the brand’s rich heritage, while also creating feelings of wonder, discovery and joy. The ‘R’ in Ringling combines the inquisitiveness of a question mark, along with punctuated excitement of an exclamation point. The unique design creates the Ringling interrobang, which is a perfect symbol to punctuate the ‘WOW’ and curiosity of the brand.”
The live production of “The Greatest Show on Earth” will debut in fall 2023, according to Field Entertainment.