The Big Apple Circus in AD

Does anyone know why New York is called the Big Apple?
Does anyone know why a circus that is supposedly from New York and is called the Big Apple would have not a single New Yorker in it - the closest was a Texan cowboy who did tricks with his whip and lassoo (much testosterone!). The rest of the performers were from Russia or Europe or UK or Mexico...
Anyway, that's not important. The circus was great. The show was an hour and a half and only started at 8 so I'd hesitated about booking it - way past bedtime (for me, not necessarily the kids!), but the time flew and we didn't even realise we were tired. The performances were varied and the performers were skilled (with lovely outfits said Steph).
The only downside was, as usual at public performances, the Emirati audience. They felt free to walk about during the show, it was distracting for the audience and I'm sure it must have been distracting for the performers. And then when the final act finished and the performers started to come into the ring for a bow and a clap, the Emiriti's just stood up and walked out past them without a glance. It was so rude and so typical.