Ringling Bros

When Maryland-born Irvin Feld bought and saved the Greatest Show on Earth and combined it with a European import 33 years ago, he simultaneously gave his audiences a circus extravaganza and its headlining animal trainer. Gunther Gebel-Williams was the golden-haired star with a passion for big cats - Bengal tigers, cheetahs, leopards - inside and outside of the ring. The German-born trainer with the jaunty gait performed for generations of circus goers, Baltimoreans among them, and brought his family into the act as well.

SHE ENTERS just before intermission. This is what the audience has been waiting for. Into the darkened arena floats a huge glass globe, and from within it rises Sara Houcke, the headliner for the 130th edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth. It is a star's entrance. Lowered into a cage with eight full-grown Bengal tigers, the 23-year-old doesn't flinch. She doesn't puff up, wield a chair or shout at the animals. Instead, she gently demonstrates her control through hand signals and intimate whispers.

I always wanted to be big," he says. "I always just had some vision in my head that I would be huge." The voice is huge: "Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages ... Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's the Greatest Show on Eeeeeaaaaarth!" It rolls from his gut, thundering up through his throat and bursting forth into whatever venue the circus is performing in. A melodic hypnotist, his job is to touch the soul of everyone in the audience, to hook them in as the circus begins and keep them spellbound during every act change or distracted during the rare mishap.

Hurry, hurry, step right up! Come see incredible sideshow sensations! Witness the unbelievable Siamese Twins Chang and Eng, joined at the breastbone; or marvel at Alexandrinos, the Tattooed Man -- even his eyelids and ears are covered with elaborate designs!"

To most people, the elephants performing at the Baltimore Arena are the biggest stars of the circus. But to Del. John S. Morgan, they are dangerous, mistreated beasts.The Howard County Republican has proposed legislation in the General Assembly that would ban the use of elephants in public or private entertainment, including circuses and carnivals. "I believe you cannot make animals perform in circuses without abusing them," Morgan said.He said that 36 people have been killed by performing elephants worldwide since 1990.

An incorrect telephone number for the Baltimore Arena appeared in an item about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Live's family calendar. The correct number is (410) 347-2010.The Sun regrets the errors.Pub Date: 3/08/97

Where do you find cavorting clowns, ponderous pachyderms, leaping lions, terrifying tigers, amazing acrobats and jolly jugglers all under one roof? Anyone who has ever experienced "The Greatest Show On Earth" knows the answer -- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.The 126th edition of the ever-changing show for all ages rolls into Baltimore next week for a 12-day run, starting March 12. Circus officials promise a spectacular series of 19 performances that will astound audiences with the amazing feats of a variety of animals and artist/athletes, including Airiana the Human Arrow, who flies with the aid of the world's largest crossbow.

It's been a long trip - 31 hours from Cincinnati into Baltimore, another nine sitting in the rail yard by the B&O Museum. At last the doors of the silver Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey train slide open and 15 unchained Asian elephants begin stepping carefully down ramps into the morning sunlight in one more city on the circus trail. The animals trumpet, snort, grope the pavement with their trunks as the crew lines them up to march down Pratt Street toward the Baltimore Arena.Folks from the neighborhood are out with their kids and their cameras.

WASHINGTON -- In a city teeming with lobbyists peddling pet interests, even jaded politicians crack a smile when former Florida Rep. Andy Ireland plunks down his business card on Congress members' desks.It features a prancing horse, two elephants and a red-capped clown.Mr. Ireland, 65, lobbies for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, a business that sees potential local and national legislation as no laughing matter. He is part of a cast of thousands who have sway over much of the work that is done in Washington.

The first thing Almas Meirmanov does in the morning, even before getting out of bed, is do a handstand, then a split, a tumble and a back flip.Sounds like pretty normal stuff for a rambunctious 8-year-old boy.But Almas is hardly just an ordinary young boy. He's a full-fledged member of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and his morning regimen -- conducted in the 15-foot by 6 1/2 -foot train car where he lives with his parents -- is actually his first practice of the day.Practice, practice, practice; it makes the act better, says his partner and father, Nourbol.