| At one point at the Nicole Unit last Wednesday, in an attempt was made to fill out the arena, a display was presented consisting of four ladies doing an aerial ballet on lyras. |
Monday, January 07, 2008
Ken & Nicole bashing #13,427
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12 comments:
Too bad that they don’t have “term limits" for how many years someone can continue to be “producer” for the GSOE. The longest that John Ringling North was credited as producer was about 22 years (1947-1969) and for much of that time he had Art Concello to do most of the heavy lifting. Irvin Feld was producer for 14 years (1970-1984) and for much of that time he had Mattel’s money to work with. Kenneth has now been in charge for 23 years (1985-2008). If it is true that your outer world is a reflection of your inter mind state, than Kenneth and his daughter seem to be thinking more in terms of an intimate Big Apple Circus-type of performance which, unfortunately, they continue to present in vast arenas. Had BARNUM’S KALEIDOSCORE been a financial success, the Red and Blue unit performances would probably be packaged in a similar format today.
A friend of mine saw the Gold Unit in Lakeland at the Sunday matinee. I recall that venue seating something like 6,000. The side wall eliminated the seats on one round end and he estimated the remaining seats were half filled.
Thank goodness that show isn't encumbered with a sixty car train otherwise they would have to borrow money to get out of town.
Buckles,
Now you are getting it(easy, I know you have always got it. I just phrased it that way). The biggest difference between European Grandness and American Greatness, is that "hump" down the road. It is a financial killer. "Featured in 4 countries" might sound impressive on paper, until you consider the 400 miles it took to do it, doesn't even make a decent overnight jump in this big old place we call the USA.
Wade Burck
Buckles, I notice that you have posted 2,854 photos on your blog to date. Quite a feat!
HM
I am aware that Kenneth Feld appointed his daughter, Nicole, co producer of the GSOE last year. From reading between the lines, it seems that she must be in charge of the Blue Unit and Kenneth must be in charge of the Red Unit. Also, I have recently discovered from a press release on the Feld Entertainment website that on October 2, 2007, two new Executive Vice Presidents have been named. I quote, "Feld Entertainment, Inc. has named Nicole Feld and Alana Feld Executive Vice Presidents of the company". Is Alana another one of Ken's daughters? And, is Alana in charge of the Gold Unit?
Yes, this is a terrific picture. It reminds me of the movie the GSOE. I have watched it so many times that I can actually hear the music from the movie as I look at this picture. I imagine the aerialists ascending their webs for the ballet.
There is a third daughter named Juliette, the elephant in the "Romeo & Juliet" was her namesake.
If she is smart she will devote her energies to the Dewey, Cheatum & Howe Concession Co.
A lot more money and a lot less grief.
1. 3 flying acts
2. 1 high wire act
3. 24 or more North Statlettes
4. The fire inspector forgot to tell them to take out all those damned poles so the people could see a real circus.
HM, If you really wanted to check how many pictures have been posted, think about only 10 per day for 365 days and you get 3,560 pictures for one year. This is low and I think that we are talking about somewhere between 13,000 and 15,000 picturs since Buckles started to do this.
I agree that this is a huge undertaking for anyone. I believe Buckles deserves to be our next president, but I think he is too smart to run for any office like that.
Bob Kitto
What a great Photo Wow
Since I remember seeing Gargantua, it had to have been 1949 when I first saw RBBB. The mind of a little boy had the whole tent filled with pretty girls up high on those beautiful white ropes. Even if a boy liked other acts better, this was a breathtaking number to behold. Thank you again for returning us to these memories.
Roger Smith
Try to imagine the GSOE during all of its years to be a European "one ringer" instead of the rings, stages and hippodrome track that we see depicted here. I have been in three ring circuses and of late in one ringers [Tommy, Tarzan, Big Apple] and my preferance as a performer is three rings. I liked the competition, I liked the excitement and with three rings of horses, elephants, etc. to me was just great. I believe the three rings of elephants that Buckles presented on Ringling was his finest effort even tho his one ring presentations were outstanding. Our three ring liberty presentation on Ringling was by far not the best acts I have ever done, but with all three rings waltzing together with the lights and great Bill Pryn music it was exciting.
Bear in mind that under canvas with Ringling none of the acts worked alone, including Unus ande Francis Brunn among others. I can only remember Alzana and Natal having single O spots. Also some of the great English indoor coliseum shows were of the three ring and hippodrome track presentation and are still talked about among circus people. Certainly I like a good "one ringer", but I and I believe the general American public are still of the three ring mentality.
Also bear in mind during the hey day how much work was offered to acts. All the great stars and acts that I have known over the years that came from Europe would always fondly remember being part of the Greatest Show On Earth as their career highlight, even having been in a three or five rng display [three rings and two stages].
I9NCLUDED IN the old days would be Floto, John Rob., H-W, Barnes, plus others with grat shows. With Mills Bros. we had some fine shows and in the Hey Day of Al.G. K-M. plus Downie, etc. We at my age can fondly look back and the present day and future don't seem very inviting.
America is all about Spectacle more than any other country I believe. The big TV draws are Super Bowl "Half Time" Opening and closing of "Olympics" are great American favorites. Also Cirque Soliel in building where things are happening throughout the whole show, and of course "The GSOE" in Madison Square Garden and elsewhere. I was with Ringling during an eleven week run in the Garden. What other Sport or Ent. event could remotely take over the Garden for much bthan a few days?
To Colonel Herriot;
"You do have your moments".
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