Monday, April 07, 2008

K&N Transportation Study #1


pic06729, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

I was surprised to learn that each K&N unit now hires large wreckers in each town to haul the wagons back and forth from the train.
My secret source has sent these pictures regarding a study on further K&N modernization.

Posted by Buckles at 4/07/2008 07:06:00 AM

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Speaking of a wreck, the 138th sorry edition of what once was the Greatest Show on Earth has closed in MSG-NYC on the day Charlton Heston died.

My opinion is limited strictly to the production part of the show.

The wardrobe looked like it was designed by Dr. Suess; cockeyed and not very optimistic.

The choreography would have been better suited for the running around chaotic antics of the King Charles Troupe.

RBBB has LOST its glamour; its spectacle and its over-the-top Hollywood sparkle. Gone to is the magic that is circus.

The budget went into the lights; I've never met a light that was entertaining; give me a REAL performer who's well costumed with a kick-ass musical score.

I have the right to my opinion and you have the right to waste your money anyway you want to.

07 April, 2008 08:12
klsdad said...

The "Garden Hoe" said...

The RBBB very good 138th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth closed on Sun.-Apr 6.. not Sat.

I attended again on Sat. night, Apr 5.

Some additional thoughts and observations... (I shared my thoughts and photos from opening night earlier!)

The costume of the lady on the elephant for the National Anthem is ludicrous.

The Ringmaster, and the "antagonist" clown are excellent.

The opening, with the trumpet fanfare and appearance of the beautiful white Arabian with bedazzled rider and blanket brought deserved "UUUUU's" from the audience. Then the opening spec continued to WOW the audience with the MAGIC of the circus. Nothing like it!!!

A thought about rings. Yes, I realize they are needed for the hoofed artists, but not anyone else... are they? I'm enjoying the open area of the large stage..where entrances and exits are much faster. Where a black inflatable ring is present, as in the beautiful white pony liberty presentation, it's hardly noticible. And, I feel the elephant presentation gains from the open space, not having to be
"crammed" into a ring's confines. The 6-elephant lie-down/sit-up is particularly effective in the open space. The Roman Riding/cossack presentation certainly benefits from the large area as well.

Now for pacing. The show drags!! I have not seen a slower cat presentation since "The Whisperer", and sadly received only token applause. (Yes.. it needs Razzle-Dazzle!) The two- level trapeze is sensational - in a couple moves, but too many swings back and forth and time climbing from one level to the next with nothing happening. Same goes for the swinging poles. Instead of having the leaps to the other pole or rope performed at the same time, it would move more quickly if they did them in sequence, instead of swinging 3 or 4 times before performing the leaps simultaneously. I addressed some of the other drawn-out numbers earlier.

All in all it's STILL quite an eye and ear full!!

Going to Prospect Park in Brooklyn tomorrow evening to enjoy the Univer-Soul Circus. Talk about razzle-dazzle!!

klsdad

07 April, 2008 11:48
Wade G. Burck said...

broad way baby,
I am sure glad I am not trying to produce a circus that the "public" wants, I'd be real confused as to what that is.

Quote: The budget went into the lights; I've never met a light that was entertaining; give me a REAL performer who's well costumed with a kick-ass musical score.

Anonymous Saraso TA DA said...

I agree, the lighting on the Montreal date is outstanding, I've seen it. But it is so cold there at that time of the year
07 January, 2008 07:54


Saraso TA DA said...

I re-read Mr. Hall's comment and indeed the lighting DESERVES more show with no disprect to the seasoned veterans who worked the date this year.
Maybe the change to the smaller building prompted the producers/promoters to downsize the line-up.

07 January, 2008 15:03

Anonymous J.C. Hall said...

To Saraso Ta Da;
My father said you can never have to many lights on a show.All I can say is when I walked into that building I made sure my shoes were polished for show time,I meant that remark in the most positive way to the show and lights.

07 January, 2008 19:55

Broadway baby,
If I am right in assuming that you are not Saraso Ta Da, this looks to me like 2 to 1 for the lights. But is you are Saraso Ta Da then that makes you Hillary Clinton. LOL
Wade Burck

07 April, 2008 12:28
Wade G. Burck said...

klsdad,
Yes, the hoof stock needs a ring, regardless of it's color. And no, nothing else really does. Unless you are in the small round traditional circular tent, then you might have one, in lo of nothing at all. It was created for horses, liberty horse, thats all. I have never seen a three ring display of elephants as spectacular as 22 elephants turning on tubs , by voice command alone, around the track. No disrespect, Buckles. And I've been in many three ring displays. The cage act, has a lot to do with that money deal, and surveys show that
the public wants a cat act, so here it is. Be happy, it's what was wanted, right. Rumor has it a big deal from Europe will be here next year. But you know how rumors are.
Wade Burck

07 April, 2008 14:54
Jim Zajicek said...

I too have witnessed By "Voice Command Alone"....What should be included tho...is "Don't mind those men in Blue coveralls behind the curtain" I too have worked in a 3-ring display....and would Agree...No Rings are Good in Elephant Displays...I believe they call it the "Blow-off"....either a Long-mount or a T-mount on the Track....Add Rex on a Horse....Well, It just doesnt get any better than that.....Jim Zajicek Note: The opinion expressed here is that of the Curators and Curators only, any irritation, discomfort or other ill effects due to this opinion..are regretted......

07 April, 2008 15:25
Anonymous said...

To Wade Burke; Obviously you have never trained any young elephants from scratch or you would realize that the ring is a must. Otherwise the entire group would be led, as is the case now with trained elephants, and the "sit up back to back", it is not a sitting long mount and is probably one of the few things the elephants do without being led from A to K or whatever. Come on, dont't you realize t5hat bareback horses need a ring and always have and I would like you to train a complete tiger routine from scratch in a 70 ft. square arena. I have seen dogs run the ring curb and clowns doing pratfalls off the ring curb, and y3easw people like me and yourself stepping up on that ring curb for that better bow. Kissass, whoever you are don't have a clue what you are potificating about. The circus, the ring and the hippodrome track are synonymous with the circus and when just one is missing you can no longer put on a legitamate circus. You all should be ashamed of yourself, especially Wade Burke.

07 April, 2008 16:59
Anonymous said...

Jim Z.,
I have something here you can regret. Name one elephant act that didn't have that, in the ring, out of the ring, in the stable, going to the truck/train. You said Rex, because it was your way of saying he, you, and myself were the fortunate few to have the aid and assistance of Markus Pierson, elephant hand of the highest order.
Wade Burck

07 April, 2008 17:34
GaryHill said...

Admittly I am extremely biased, but even tho GGW was a Superstar performer, and had the whole cast and company to showcase it. His elephants were sloppy and not spot on as when Three Rings of elephants are all in sync. All three rings of Buckles herds were in sync and it was impressive to see the timing as every elephant mounted a tub or did a situp together. Looking at the photo on this thread, I can still hear the music in my head! :)

07 April, 2008 17:57
Anonymous said...

Johnny Herriott,
How do you know those elephants couldn't be trained "trained from scratch." I'll do anything for a buck!!!! Oh, wait a minute, you meant for new/inexperienced didn't you? How do you know you couldn't? Maybe because the ring was there, it was used, and there was no need to DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. When I said horses, I was suggesting that encompassed all horses loose, not under saddle or on lines. I thought I would have to explain that to some, but not to you. Instead of those dogs running on the ring curb, how about some more backflips. Better yet catch frizbees.(I didn't mean that, Johnny. Sit back down. LOL) The clowns could probably find something else to fall off of also. We were talking about the ring, not the arena, but now that it has been entered, yes you could train an act, from scratch in a 70 ft. arena. Two problems, it would be DIFFERENT then anything seen in 100's of years of circus cage act's which might take some a while to get used to, and you couldn't do it in the small venue of an European, and now American tent. I never stood on the ring curb, and I take offense to the insinuation. I found early on, by jumping on something taller like an elephant tub or a tiger prop, not only could everybody in the nosebleeds see me better, but it also made me easier to pick me out when I was surrounded by horse trainers. You know damn well it is spelled Burck, you just did Burke, to rang me up. And it didn't work. LOL
Best wishes friend,
Wade Burck

07 April, 2008 18:07
Jim Zajicek said...

Yes Wade, Mark has been at the back of the ring for many years for me....Now he resides in my Ticket Box..(Combined 14 yrs).In fact...I just paid him and he is off to get "Parodi's cigars" and Diet Coke....Now I've been known to streeeeeeecth the Truth a bit...(Although I never stole from anyone) However, "By Voice Command Alone" and a Man for every Beast...Would Hardly rank up there with the Cardiff Giant or The Fee-gee Mermaid! At least they WERE BELIEVABLE in their day....The First time I saw "By Voice Command Alone" and a man for every Beast...I was truly inspired...In Fact I came to the conclusion That if the American Public buys into this......I just might be able to operate a Sideshow and make a livin in the 21st century!...For this, I am forever Grateful to GGW.......Jim Zajicek

07 April, 2008 18:09
Wade G. Burck said...

Gary,
And Buckles did it without "showcasing" any of the cast and company, right. When you are the "Lord of the Rings" you don't have to be spot on and in sync. GGW's elephant act was the only one, I didn't spend half the time checking out the broads. LOL
How you doing friend,
Wade Burck

P.S. I sent you a post the other day, but it didn't get run, so you couldn't answer.

07 April, 2008 18:28
Jim Zajicek said...

Wade....Ken "Turtle" Benson....With Boo or Lisa on Roberts Bros..... Take your Pick.....Jim Zajicek (No Regrets)

07 April, 2008 19:11
Wade G. Burck said...

Jim Z.,
Did you not have 4 elephants and 2 men plus yourself? Or was that somebody else who was lucky enough to have an elephant like Gyp, who could get her own hay and grain, and turn on the water, get the hose, and give herself a drink of water?
Your friend,
Wade Burck

P.S. What did you find out about that prolapse deal?

07 April, 2008 19:56
Anonymous said...

Some of you are getting carried away. Circus is from the
Roman term for circle. If there are no rings, how do you define the performance area for each act?
Of course, if you can only afford one act maybe that might help explain no rings. However, the true circus is performed in a circular ring and the rest are only arena or stage shows.
Bob Kitto

07 April, 2008 20:04
Jim Zajicek said...

A man like Gunther is Rare....although the "By Voice Command Alone" to me was a stretch....Gunther was NOT! He was one to be admired...Many folks take shots at him...However, here was a man with a unequaled work ethic and unmatched showman. Many folks will say..."Irvins Money made GGW a household Name" true...The Col. made Elvis a household name....Yet GGW and Elvis LIVED up to such billing...And what is more amazing is GGW did it for years on a grueling Circus schedule....So,IF anyone could "SELL" ..."By Voice Command alone" it surely would be Gunther...He truly was the "20th century Lord of the Ring"...Jim Zajicek

07 April, 2008 20:13
Wade G. Burck said...

Jim Z,
You are right, I stand corrected. There were two "Lords of the Ring"!!!
Wade Burck

07 April, 2008 20:57
Anonymous said...

I tend to think of importance of "rings" as an aspect of spatial relationships. Take away right and space is ill-defined until you turn on a million bucks worth of projection lighting. wade, while you may be right that you can train young elephants without a ring curb, what are you gaining? Behaviorally animals learn to respect the ring as form of perimeter confinement defining a performance space. Doesn't mean they won't perform without that confinement, but aren't using asking them to work harder without that spatial relationship as a cue?

As Gary notes, I wonder if that doesn't lead to acts looking "loose" or "sloppy?"

07 April, 2008 23:01
Jim Zajicek said...

Yes Wade...I had 2 Africans, 1 Asian, and "GYP"....Mark ran the water,solved the Jumble and drank Diet Coke...He was also the Best Dumpster man in the Business, and was the "Watchman"....The other guy (Numerous) drove the Box Truck..And I drove the Semi....Thank God Gyp could take of the Rest!!!....So whats the point..........Jim Zajicek

07 April, 2008 23:19

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)