A New-Look Circus Sends in the Clowns, but Loses the Face Paint.

[brooklynite]

New York Times

There are no tigers and elephants; in fact, the only “animal” is an electric dog named Bailey. The clowns are still there, but hardly wear any makeup.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, that self-proclaimed greatest show on Earth, is back seven years after folding up its big top for what was feared to be the last time. The circus, which had toured with scant interruption since Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency, shuttered indefinitely in 2017 as it faced lagging ticket sales in the wake of its decision to stop featuring animals.

Now as the show hits the road again for an initial run of 50 cities, audiences are encountering a human-focused spectacle with a Gen Z tilt that might leave it unrecognizable.

Lauren Irving’s performance of “Proud Mary” serves as a nightly showstopper.Credit...Kate Medley for The New York Times
It’s something of an unlikely comeback for the institution that has faced pop culture shifts, dwindling attendance and accusations of animal mistreatment. The pandemic hit a few years after the pachyderms packed up in 2016 (They retired to a Florida conservation center.), making the return of the one-time touring staple even more of a question.

[Demovictory9]

1. These acts, after all, are designed to provide wholesome memories, not nagging nightmares. The clowns still perform thei

These acts, after all, are designed to provide wholesome memories, not nagging nightmares. The clowns still perform their slapstick, and remain in their oversized costumes throughout the show, so that the audience can recognize the same performer at the beginning of the show and the ending.

[senseandsensibility]

2. I thought this was about cheato not wearing make-up

at his rallies anymore.

[TSExile]

3. HA!! So did I.

He'll never get rid of that goop he puts on with a trowel, so I knew the story couldn't have been about him.

[senseandsensibility]

4. Too good to be true

indeed. Although it's possible he looks worse without it.