This Circus Ditched Animals, Clowns and Ringmasters

A classic circus has been reimagined for modern times. No clowns. No animals. No ringmaster. That’s a huge departure for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, which has been touring since 1871. Audiences on the U.S. tour will see trapeze artists, riders on BMX trail bikes and unicycles, as well as trick skateboarders. Bowing elephants and caged tigers are a thing of the past, pleasing animal rights activists. Now audiences will see what humans can do under the big top.