The 144th edition of The Greatest Show On Earth is rolling into town for an exciting two-week run at Barclays Center. From Feb. 20 – March 2, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents LEGENDS, a spectacle of unimaginable family fun featuring amazing performers from around the globe performing awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder. The cast of talented performers are joined by an astounding menagerie of animals from around the world – lions, tigers, kangaroos, pigs, llamas and dogs – as well as mythical and mysterious visions that have until now only existed in the confines of the imagination – a unicorn, a Pegasus and a woolly mammoth!
Making his second American debut with Ringling Bros. and Barnum& Bailey® Presents LEGENDS, Alexander Lacey, along with his legendary big cats that includes lions and tigers, will show audiences the brotherly and sisterly love he shares with these majestic cats.
Originally from Nottingham, England, Alexander is the oldest of three sons. He grew up learning about big cat husbandry while his father, Martin, was a zoo and circus director and his mother, Susan, traveled the world and presented a mixed act of tigers and leopards. The family has raised more than 11 generations of lions and nine generations of tigers and continues to develop methods to maintain the integrity of the various bloodlines within the cats’ lineages. Big cat husbandry and presentation continues to be a family affair. His father still performs and Alexander’s younger sister, Natasha, and younger brother, Martin Jr., work in Germany with Circus Krone.
Education was very important to the Lacey family. At age 11, Alexander left Nottingham to attend school in Lincolnshire, England. He was always counting the days until the next holidays. “I couldn’t wait to come home to the circus and help with the animals – especially the big cats,” Alexander reflects.
After graduation, he began his professional career at his father’s circus and built his first cat presentation with lions and tigers. A few years later, at age 21, Alexander took his big cat act on the road. While spending his entire life around big cats, he not only grew up with the regal animals, but he also developed a true passion and love for them which became his career path.
While presenting his cats in Ireland, Alexander couldn’t take his eyes off a dazzling trapeze artist, Elaine, the daughter of the show’s director. They have been together ever since and now Elaine and their daughter Katrina both help Alexander with his cat act.
“Being here in America again with my family and my cats is really a dream come true for all of us,” Alexander adds. “It’s a challenge and opportunity. We love seeing the United States, from coast to coast and are excited to be back and tour with a new magical show, LEGENDS.”
Tickets for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS start at $30. Tickets pricing is subject to change based on market demand. All seats are reserved, and tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. For group rates and information, call 844-844-2121.
FREE with ticket an hour before show time is the interactive All Access Pre-show. Families can become part of the circus action on the arena floor, learning juggling and balancing skills while meeting performers from the show – of the two-legged AND four-legged variety – before the actual performance even starts!
