Nikulin Circus
From Moscowiki
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Moscow Circuses & Zoo Guide [1]
[edit] Description
A bronze cabriolet is parked in front of the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard; a man in a shabby jacket and funny hat stands beside it. This is the monument to Yury Nikulin, famous Russian clown, actor and director of the Circus in 1983 – 1997. Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard is one of the oldest circuses in Russia. Albert Salamonsky, former rider and gymnast, erected permanent brick building for it in 1880. It soon became world famous thanks to the brilliant performances by Durovs’ horses, as well as the braveness of its high-wire artists and surprising magic of the world-famous illusionists Kio.
The Circus continued its performances even during World War II. Outstanding clown Karandash (literally “Pencil”) mimicked fascist soldiers, and in the end of the show a real tank drove into the ring and crushed hostile pillboxes. It encouraged Russian warriors to fight Fascist invaders. Albert Salamonsky’s phrase “If the clowns in the Circus are good, full house is guaranteed” became the slogan for the Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, where such outstanding Russian clowns as Karandash, Leonid Engibarov, “sunny clown” Oleg Popov, Yury Nikulin and others performed in different times.
Yury Nikulin used to say “humour, laughter and a simple smile help to overcome life’s difficulties”. The contemporary building was constructed on the old site in 1989, so that now the Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard can accommodate more than 2 000 spectators. It was named in honour of Nikulin at his 75th anniversary.
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