THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602270130
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: ON THE SCENE
SOURCE: SCOTT McCASKEY
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
It had been so long since I had been to the circus that I might as well have never have been at all.
But I ended my deprivation last week when I attended a showing at Scope of the 126th edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's ``Greatest Show On Earth.''
In many ways, the event was a mesh of tradition and modern times, with good results. The old-timey circus music and inescapable smell of cotton candy elicited feelings molded in childhood, putting one in a carnival-like mode. The blue-sequined ringmaster, announcing ``Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of All Ages,'' seemed as timeless as the three rings he vaulted between.
But the giant video screen in the center ring, a booming sound system blasting every music genre from rock to disco to movie themes, and a sea of multicolored lights and gadgets definitely let you know the 21st century was close at hand. What ensued was a brilliant sensory onslaught, a head-spinning display of non-stop motion.
The first half of the show was the strongest. After a few silly clown stunts, jugglers, a takeoff skit on the movie ``Car Wash,'' and a Frisbee-catching dog show - Turbo is the Jerry Rice of the canine world - came the most visually stunning display of the evening. In its debut year, the giant spider web caught everyone's attention. Dressed in magnificent Spiderman-type costumes, performers crawled and trapezed to the echoes of sinister sci-fi sounds. The queen butterfly was as sensual as she was acrobatic. The shadows and smoky-blue light show gave the performance a truly surreal look.
``I've been coming to the circus for years, and I've never seen anything like this - it's unique,'' Norfolk native Tony Biggs said. ``My son Jake was a little frightened, though.''
Following some exciting bungee acrobatics, which have to be seen to be fully appreciated, and Mardi Gras-like pageantry, was the most impressive performance of the night. The Quiros troupe high-wire act - 30 feet above the floor with no safety apparatus - had me cringing at one point. Two men rode a bicycle with a pole mounted on their shoulders that supported a third man standing on a chair. They did this in addition to jumping rope, sword fighting and playing leap-frog. The display gave real credence to the show's claim to being the Greatest Show On Earth.
From the beginning of the production I was impressed with the conditioning of the performers. Hearts pumping and muscles flexing, their strength and endurance has to be at least that of many star athletes. And the sensuality is undeniable. Female and male alike, it was an arena of hard bodies, finely sculpted in exotic and beautiful costumes. One woman wore a suit that bordered on being a thong.
The first half closed with the lion act. A pride of 10 beasts, with one particularly large and ornery-looking female, performed the expected repertoire. The animal trainer, Graham Thomas Chipperfield of Britain, communicates with the big cats in his own interesting language.
In watching the animal acts and dancing clowns, I was struck by the longevity of the circus as an art form. Chipperfield's family has been in the business in Britain since the 1600s. Many of the performers are fourth and fifth generation. It seems to me that the big top has remained viable through the centuries by keeping what works and adapting to the changing times.
The second half included up-to-anticipated flying trapeze acts, a parade of 13 elephants coaxed into handstands and other antics with loaves of bread and carrots, and some fancy horsemanship by Genghis Khan-looking Manat Eshimbekov and his equestrians from the nation of Kyrgyzstan.
Although promoted with billboards all over the region, the hype of Airiana The Human Arrow missed the mark to some degree. Following a parade of hoopla and buildup, the attractive young woman was launched into a net by a giant crossbow.
Although she flew through the air a considerable distance - spanning almost two of the three rings - the flight was very short-lived and somewhat basic. I thought the highlight of the second half was perhaps Russian Victor Gourianov's triple backward somersault on one stilt, which brought thundering applause from the audience.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus employs some 200 people. Circus members come from all over the world.
``It's as international as it gets,'' said Chris Yancey, a promoter for the show.
Yancey said he doesn't know of anyone in the production who ran away from home to be in the circus, but he does say it's a true family. Many future husbands and wives meet under the big top.
Although a little long, and the format could be tighter, the show definitely is worth seeing, especially for the kids. Area residents seem to agree. Scope looked to be at least 80 percent full.
Although the production has finished in Norfolk, the Hampton Coliseum will have nine more presentations through Sunday. Tickets range from $9.50 to $14.50, $22.50 for ringside. Plan to try to ease off the cotton candy and splurge for a good seat. You'll be glad you did. by CNB