Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to end in May after 146 years

Asian elephants of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus exit after having a brunch viewed by local school children from PS310 and PS176 in Brooklyn at Barclays Center on March 2, 2016, in New York City. The circus is to end in May after 146 years. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

ELLENTON, Fla., Jan. 16 (UPI) — Feld Entertainment Inc., the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, said the 146-year-old circus will offer its final performances this spring.

A press release issued Saturday noted the company decided to wrap up the show — which is famous for its animal acts and high-flying acrobatics — because of high costs and a drop in ticket sales, which made the circus an unsustainable business.

“Following the transition of the elephants off the circus, the company saw a decline in ticket sales greater than could have been anticipated,” Feld Entertainment said, referring to how the show retired its elephants last year in response to pressure from animal-rights activists.

Ringling Bros.’ two circus units will conclude their tours with finales at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on May 7, and at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., on May 21.

“Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey was the original property on which we built Feld Entertainment into a global producer of live entertainment over the past 50 years,” Kenneth Feld, chairman and chief executive officer of Feld Entertainment, said in a statement. “We are grateful to the hundreds of millions of fans who have experienced Ringling Bros. over the years. Between now and May, we will give them one last chance to experience the joy and wonder of Ringling Bros.”

“This was a difficult business decision to make, but by ending the circus tours, we will be able to concentrate on the other lines of business within the Feld Entertainment portfolio,” added Juliette Feld, Feld Entertainment’s chief operating officer. “Now that we have made this decision, as a company, and as a family, we will strive to support our circus performers and crew in making the transition to new opportunities.”

Feld Entertainment’s portfolio also includes Marvel Universe LIVE!, Monster Jam, Monster Energy Supercross and Disney On Ice.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here