Circus Sets Up With No Clowning Around

A bold and familiar voice blared over a loud speaker at the San Diego Sports Arena on Tuesday night.

“Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, producer Kenneth Feld is proud to present the 117th edition of The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Greatest Show on Earth.”

Ringmaster Eric Michael Gillette had spoken, cuing the 15-piece band to strike up “Come and Join Our Family.”

About 150 circus performers--drenched in sequins and displaying sparkling smiles--marched from behind an American flag curtain to greet the crowd of about 8,000.

But hours earlier, on Tuesday morning, the arena floor had been bare. No equipment hung from the ceiling, and most of the circus families were tourists at Sea World. Outside, 21 tigers, 1 leopard, 4 seals, 21 elephants, 2 camels, 1 llama, 10 dogs and 30 horses were waiting patiently in the shade of their tents for their afternoon baths and grooming before their San Diego debut.

Exercise in Efficiency

Setting up the show required 100 men, who with assembly-line efficiency unloaded 60 colorful wagons filled with tons of rubber mats, rope, cables, steel parts and wood.

Communicating in nods and circus lingo, the men systematically spread the various equipment on the arena floor, raising some of it 60 feet above them.

The materials became the work tools of acrobats, gymnasts, animal trainers and clowns, the props that allowed the show to go on. Assembly of the equipment is just as much an art as the performance itself, circus officials said.

“The magnitude, efficiency and great organization of our operation literally amazes a lot of people,” said Eric Yaillen, regional marketing director for the circus. “It only takes eight hours to set up. Every inch of materials has its proper place in one of our 90 wagons. Because we move so efficiently, (the crew) knows exactly when to bring each piece of equipment.”

A cable that will support a flying trapeze cannot be placed a foot too high or too low, said assistant general manager Don Grier.

Dozens of seemingly identical interconnecting panels are used to make the three rings, each exactly 42 feet in diameter. But care must be taken to place each red and yellow panel in its proper place.

Grier said his job is to insure that the myriad details and specifications are met.

During the San Diego show and the 400 others he has set up, there is no time to clown around, Grier said. He watches the performance to make sure the props are in place, the equipment functions safely and the performances flow smoothly.

Private Train

As is tradition, the circus rolled into town on Monday aboard its private, 44-car train, carrying its 350 members, equipment and animals. Additional equipment, such as the concession stands, was brought on three semi-trucks. A few circus families drove down in a caravan, riding in private buses or towing trailers.

The circus recently finished six weeks in Anaheim and Los Angeles, and will perform next in Fresno, Yaillen said. It will run in San Diego through Sunday.

New acts in this year’s production include a parade by King Tusk, a 14,762-pound elephant that stands 12 feet, 6 inches tall, with a 6-foot trunk and a 27-foot girth.

Also debuting are the Patagonian seals from South America; the Arnuso Duo, a brother and sister team of aerial dancers; a team of BMX stunt bicyclists, and a trapeze team that features four fliers and three catchers in one act.

Yaillen described the show as “all-American, good, clean entertainment . . . for children of all ages.” But not every crew member was so excited during Tuesday’s setting up.

Asked if his labor was rewarded by the smiling faces of children, Grier said, “I don’t care much for the sticky little monsters. I’m in this for the money.”