The Surprise of the Moscow Circus

This week I was invited to the Moscow Circus. I was anticipating a let down because I knew the Circus would be performing on a small stage compared to the venues of Cirque de Soleil and Barnum and Baileys Greatest Show on Earth.

Also, I was a little leary of being at an event that was from Russia. My fears were due to all the conditioning I have experienced growing up in the Cold War and Space Race competing constantly against the Russians and always....ALWAYS being taught to fear them. I thought it was about communism but even now, it is the same...fear the Russians.

Well, what a surprise! From the moment the troubadour slowly walked across the stage in a simple robe, long hair and playing a flutelike instrument I was captured by something totally not American. Partly it was the quaintness, the ancient, that appealed to me. There were 3 live musicians onstage for most of the time, playing ancient Russian songs and contemporary. The lady was dressed in a magnificent Russian folk costume, her headdress was gorgeous! There were aerials, ring spinners, sash acrobats all working without a net high above the stage. Wonderful floor acrobats and jugglers brought the basic parts of circus entertainment up close to the audience and delight to everyone. Throughout the performances the most wonderful clown I have ever encountered threaded a sense of sweet humor and joy encouraging the audience to participate in clapping and whooping it up!

All preconcieved fears and anxieties melted with the troubadour and then the rest of the world's cares disappeared as the Circus enfolded us into its wonder and sense of fun. It was uniquely Russian in the manners and movements they used to show their prowess, balance, and happiness at being in the Circus. It was small (maybe 15 performers) and intimate and left me feeling overjoyed!

In the printed program were histories of the performers and all had attended a Circus University in Russia and many were Laureates! No wonder there was so much polish and effortlessness in the Moscow Circus' performances.

I needed this kind of encounter. World peace seems so possible after experiences like this one. It was fun and particularily Russian and what a surprise...a joy to experience!