Happy Wlorld Circus Day From Princess Stephanie!

Happy Wlorld Circus Day From Princess Stephanie!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Back to Three Rings? Bucking the Big Top Blues, Rebounding Cole Bros. Circus May Add Canvas and Circles

Rumors upon rumors, some better grounded than others. I'm reporting on a most tantalizing tidbit I've just come across.

Get out your whistles, true blue circus fans! At least one tenter filled up lots of its seats during the season just past. We're talking Johnny Pugh's Cole Bros Circus of Stars.

Johnny brought the animals back, as you know, and the crowds are coming back, too. Stay with me on this, we need a good-feeling moment, right? Something to chirp about, there's been so much dreary news lately.

Cole's tour of New England said to have been boffo -- "boffo" these days perhaps meaning well above half houses. I am only guessing here.

One high-placed Cole Big Gun termed business very good. According to this source, removed from yours truly by one or two private cell phone numbers, they're adding canvas to the poles come the season upon us. "Back to the larger size, maybe three rings."

Did you hear that? Maybe three rings.

I gotta ride the sunny waves too. How good was last year's show? I have little idea. Something must be clicking over on Cole. Here's a little American sawdust and spangles de juvu: When P.T. Barnum, Coup and Costello took out theirs 5,000 seat trick in 1871, tenting triumphantly up, by the way, in Brooklyn, crowds soon grew so great, some rushing the single ring, P.T. is remembered for asking his partners during the second tour, "What are we gonna do about the unruly patrons, gentlemen?" To which came a true American reply, from Costello or Coup, the latter credited with the spectacular epoch in world circus that would follow "We'll have to add a ring."

Heaven in '11? More as the rumors mature, kids.

1.18.11

2 comments:

Harry Kingston said...

Dave,
That sure would be wonderful if they had 3 rings in 2011 under a new larger tent.
All the reports I hear in 2010 they ought to have a semi full of green $$$$$$$.
That eastern territory sure has been sweat for Pugh.
He is a real showman and knows the business and what to do as his business shows it.
He has been great to us fans and always nice to us and anwsers all our questions.
I heard last year he had a great performance and halleujah finally had a program.
What impressed me so much a fan sent me a picture of sand for filling in the wooden stake holes.
NEVER have i ever seen any show fill in wood stake hole.
Harry in Texas

Showbiz David said...

Hi Harry,

Let's float on some good news, and it could not happen to a nicer showman, John Pugh. Hope rumors of expansion are true! Dream on ...