HAPPY NEW YEAR! - выйти - SPN Publishing

DESTINATION MOSCOW
The Art of Enjoyment
Moscow has long had the
reputation of being one
of the world’s circus
capitals. It has legendary
arenas with impressive
history and wide-ranging
repertories, as well as small intimate
venues and mobile seasonal arenas. The
shows are also very varied, from classic
circuses to circuses on ice and on water.
The programs usually change once a
season, but at the most popular time —
the New Year holidays — a special show
usually appears, even more fabulous and
marvelous.
The recognized pillars of Russian —
and, indeed, world — circus art are the
Yuri Nikulin Circus in Tsvetnoy Boulevard
and the Moscow Circus in Vernadsky
Avenue. The Great Moscow State Circus
in Vernadsky Avenue is the largest
permanent circus not only in this country,
but in the whole world. Forty years ago,
when it had only just opened, it was
already being called “the best attraction
in the world,” and it still merits that
title today. The circus is renowned not
only for its strong cast of performers
(over 300 of them), but also for its
technical parameters. The auditorium
can accommodate 3,310 spectators, and
the circus has as many as six rings at
a depth of 18 meters — for equestrian,
illusionist, ice, water, light and interactive
performances, all of which alternate in a
matter of seconds during the show. Circus
legends such as Oleg Popov, Karandash
and Yuri Nikulin appeared here, and the
show is still of the very highest standard.
A new program is introduced every season.
This year’s is entitled Golden Buffo — a vast
show featuring celebrated artists from
twelve countries — jockeys, clowns and
trained animals, including bear-acrobats,
a walrus and Margo the film star
chimpanzee. The company will perform
this show until Christmas, when a special
program with the traditional Grandfather
Frost and the Snow Maiden will be staged
during the New Year school holidays. You
may get a special present during the show.
The Nikulin Circus in Tsvetnoy
Boulevard, one of the oldest in Russia,
was built in the second half of the 19th
century. The building has been extended
and reconstructed many times, but has
invariably housed a circus. During the New
Year holidays the circus is presenting a
program entitled Grandfather Frost in Danger!
Among the pleasant additions to the show
is a fascinating trip behind the scenes to
feed the animals and receive souvenirs (at
an extra charge). The Nikulin Circus also
comprises the Natalia Abramova Circus on
Ice, featuring choreographic compositions,
trapeze duets, acrobatic stunts and walking
on stilts — the circus on ice provides the
rare opportunity of seeing classic circus
performances in an unusual setting. Some
of the numbers feature trained animals —
in this circus even a bear and monkeys
perform on skates.
This winter the Circus of the Zapashny
Brothers — Russia’s most famous
animal trainers — is staging a project
entitled Legend. It is a unique show that
combines the talents of the Zapashny
brothers and the Safronov brothers, the
country’s leading illusionists. The colorful
story is based on Ancient Greek myths
and legends: during the whole show
the audience will be fascinated by the
captivating atmosphere of the ancient
world with Olympic gods and fearless
heroes and enchanted by magic tricks,
fights with beasts of prey, chariot battles
and other scenes. Unique special effects,
original scenery and modern sound and
Stanislavsky was right when he said
the circus was “the best place on
Earth!” It is a place where children
can believe in magic and adults can
switch off from the cares of daily
life as they watch spellbound the
amazing tricks and exciting stunts.
By Nadеzhda Kuzmina
light design make this show bright and
dynamic. The performances can be seen
at the Small Sports Arena of the Luzhniki
complex from December 17 to January 8.
One of the newest and most unusual
circuses, the Aquamarine Circus of
Dancing Fountains, is a blend of various
types of circus, including a Variety Circus
on Ice and a Circus of Marvels. The latter
will shortly be presenting its first program:
the circus musical Dream in the Clouds,
staged by Nina Chusova. By combining the
best performances of the Variety Circus
and the production How to Draw a Bird,
the circus has been featuring for several
months the vast family show Shining World,
including ice dancing, songs and stunts.
The circus’s Grand New Year Show, which
begins on December 24, is, perhaps, one of
the most multifaceted performances. This
year’s show includes, for instance, artists
from the circus on ice. And, of course,
no performance here would be complete
without the circus’s visiting card — a show
of dancing fountains. By the way, the festive
occasion is not confined to the arena: in the
34 WHERE MOSCOW I DECEMBER 2011 ПОДГОТОВЛЕНО ПРИ ПОДДЕРЖКЕ КОМИТЕТА ПО ТУРИЗМУ И ГОСТИНИЧНОМУ ХОЗЯЙСТВУ ГОРОДА МОСКВЫ
1
реклама