Send in the Clown: Veteran Performer Hopes to Save Big Apple Circus - CircusTalk

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Send in the Clown: Veteran Performer Hopes to Save Big Apple Circus

Amid doubts the circus industry can survive, Bello Nock is seeking to buy bankrupt Big Apple Circus at auction

In his three-decade career as a daredevil-minded circus clown, Bello Nock has done everything from taking his place atop a 70-foot sway pole to riding a 5-ton elephant—sometimes all within a single show.

But now, the 47-year-old performer, once hailed as America’s top clown by Time magazine, is looking to attempt what might be his most challenging feat yet: bringing New York’s bankrupt Big Apple Circus back to life.

Mr. Nock, who is based in Sarasota, Fla., but has long considered New York City a second home of sorts, says he is planning to make a bid for the circus’ assets as part of a bankruptcy auction.

His plan comes at a time when the long-term survival of the circus as an art form is under question, particularly with last month’s announcement that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus was closing after nearly a century-and-a-half run.

Link to Full Article on the Wall Street Journal

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