Siegfried and Roy and tiger share final performance

Las Vegas performers Siegfried and Roy, and the Bengal tiger that ended their 30-year run, shared the stage for one final performance after a five-year absence from the bright lights.

The charity show on Saturday night signalled a finale for the two who began performing their wild animal act in Las Vegas in 1972.

Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn stopped working after a 2003 performance when Montecore, a large white tiger, took Horn by his neck and dragged him off the stage.

Fischbacher and Horn now say they believe Montecore knew Horn was having a stroke and was trying to save him.

Horn has since been recuperating but not, apparently, from the tiger incident. Reports say he suffered brain damage from a stroke as well as partial paralysis.

During the Saturday performance, Horn emerged in black robes, his face covered with a skeletal mask, on a dark stage cloaked in smoke. He limped onstage, often steadying himself on Fischbacher's shoulder.

The two slowly performed an illusion as Fischbacher, dressed in white robes and a mask, stood inside a cage, which was covered in drapes. As Horn removed the curtain seconds later, Fischbacher appeared across stage, a hulking tiger in his place.

As the crowd roared and stood to clap, the men removed their masks with Fischbacher standing between the tiger and Horn. They waved and blew kisses at the audience, but said nothing.

An announcer then proclaimed: "Within all of us there is an illusive melody, which when heard and followed will lead you to the fulfillment of your fondest dreams."

The performance was the highlight of a benefit for the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. The centre, designed by Frank Gehry, is set to open in downtown Las Vegas later this year.

Siegfried and Roy's performance will air Friday in a one-hour special on ABC's 20/20.