THE GRAND TOUR is a circus extravaganza set in the 1920s and featuring acts from the four corners of the globe. Ships, trains, automobiles, and airplanes will serve as the backdrop for breathtaking acts of wonder, accompanied by the seven-piece Big Apple Circus Band playing live at each of more than 100 performances. Acts will include clowns, jugglers, acrobats, and aerialists, from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America, as well as domestic and rescue animals, all creating performances that will leave audiences smiling and cheering. The show runs 1 hour and 50 minutes including a 20-minute intermission.
In recent years, much attention has been focused upon the care and well being of the circus animals. Big Apple Circus has a very detailed approach….
“Big Apple Circus insists upon sensitivity to quality of life both in and out of the ring. This respect and care is shown equally for all of our performers, human and animal alike.
Like the human performers in our circus, the animals exhibit extraordinary talent and intelligence. A profound respect for these traits forms the foundation of the only teaching method employed by our trainers: positive reinforcement. The physical feats seen by our audiences are actually extensions and refinements of gestures the animals exhibit naturally.
The trainer patiently and gently presents each new situation until the animal grasps its meaning. Success brings lavish praise, pats of congratulations and, of course, edible treats. Should the animal not grasp what is required of it, another, more understandable approach will be attempted.
Above all, this method assures a strong bond of mutual trust, understanding and respect between animal and trainer.
Animals who live at Big Apple Circus have daily exercise, daily baths, and are fed carefully balanced diets. All of the animals have been vaccinated to protect them from illness, and they regularly receive complete medical check-ups from an expert veterinarian. The horses also receive dental and hoof exams on a regular basis. A local veterinarian is available in each tour venue.
Big Apple Circus continues to be committed to presenting the finest classical circus in America, featuring all fellow creatures with whom we have a working relationship. Big Apple Circus never has, nor ever will, condone any form of animal abuse whatsoever.”
The tent is as big a part of the experience as the show itself. The two new, climate-controlled Big Tops, royal blue in the Fall and Winter, and white in the Spring and Summer, with glowing golden stars spiraling over the roof and sides, are made by Canobbio S.p.a. in Castelnuovo Scrivia, Italy. The tent masts and cupola were manufactured in Rio Saliceto, Italy. The tent has been equipped with a custom-built seating-system, delivered in 2006, that can accommodate more than 1,700 people. Each individually molded plastic seat is 18 inches wide and ringside and box seats are comfortably cushioned. Made by Italian designers Carlo Anceschi & Sons, the system presents the culmination of a half-century of innovation and development in touring circus seating, specially designed for quick assembly and disassembly.
On a personal note, I took my three daughters to see this circus and one of them wound up participating in the show. Absolutely a highlight of her youth! Go, eNJoy.
