Clowns have been present in our culture for quite some time. One can recall at least the related jesters who were at court and entertained the nobility. The word “clown” itself appeared at the beginning of the 16th century. This was originally the name given to a comic character from English medieval theater. This hero improvised a lot, and his jokes were simple and even rude.
Today, a clown is a circus or variety performer who uses slapstick and grotesquery. This profession is not as simple as it seems. In addition, clowns work in various genres, no self-respecting circus can do without such people. Who else will make the audience laugh between numbers?
Jean-Baptiste Auriol
IN early XIX century there was no such image of a clown yet. In the arena, comic equestrian acrobats joked, there was a mime rider and a clown. This state of affairs changed when the figure of Jean-Baptiste Auriol appeared in the French circus. As a child, he was sent to be trained by a family of rope dancers. Soon Jean-Baptiste became an independent artist in a run-of-the-mill traveling circus. The artist's career quickly took off, the equestrian acrobat with comic talents was noticed. In the early 1830s he was invited to join the Luasse troupe. With her, Oriol began traveling around Europe. The next step was the Paris Olympic Theater-Circus. The debut took place on July 1, 1834. Jean-Baptiste showed himself to be a versatile master - he is a tightrope walker, a juggler and a strongman. Moreover, he was also a grotesque actor. A strong and powerful body was crowned with a cheerful face, whose grimaces made the audience laugh. The clown wore a special costume, which was a modernized outfit of a medieval jester. But Oriol did not have makeup, he only used general primer. Essentially, the work of this clown can be considered carpet-bending. He filled the pauses between performances and parodied the main repertoire. It was Oriol who shaped the image of the clown, gave it light French humor and brought romanticism to the circus.
Grok
The real name of this Swiss is Charles Adrien Wettach. Charles's talent was noticed by the clown Alfredo, who invited him young guy to a traveling circus troupe. Having gained experience in it, Charles left his partners and went to France. By that time, the clown had learned to play several musical instruments, knew how to juggle, and was an acrobat and tightrope walker. Charles was able to make friends with the musical eccentric Brick, eventually replacing his partner Brock. The new clown chose the pseudonym Grok. The artist's debut at the Swiss National Circus took place on October 1, 1903. The troupe toured a lot. With her, Grok visited Spain, Belgium and even South America.
Grok became known as the King of the Clowns. Touring Russia also turned out to be a triumph. After the end of the war, Grok resumed performing again, touring even in America. A mask is named after Grock, which is awarded as a prize at the European International Circus Clown Festival.
Charlie Chaplin
In just one year, Charlie Chaplin starred in more than 34 films and became widely known as one of the most talented comedians in American cinema, which allowed him to soon gain creative independence.
Mikhail Rumyantsev
Pencil was so popular that only his performances guaranteed financial success for the circus. Cheerful clown He devoted himself conscientiously to his work, but even outside the arena he demanded complete dedication from his assistants. Pencil's career in the circus spans 55 years. IN last time he appeared in the arena just 2 weeks before his death.
Nuk
The German Georg Spillner became known to the whole world under this pseudonym. Already in 1937 German theater in Munich announced him as the most famous clown Europe. The artist’s “trick” was his large suitcase and huge coat, which concealed a variety of musical instruments. Nook performed at the most famous concert venues Europe, but despite his fame he remained a rather modest person. The clown was very musical, playing the saxophone, mandolin, flute, clarinet, violin, and harmonica. In the 60s they wrote about him as the most gentle clown of all time. Nuk was often compared to another legend, Grok, but the German had his own unique image.
Konstantin Bergman
His professional career as a clown began at the age of 14; with his brother Nikolai, he staged the act “Vaulting Acrobats.” Until 1936, the couple performed together, using the images of popular comedy film actors H. Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin. During the war, Bergman performed as part of front-line brigades. The simple reprise “Dog Hitler” brought him fame. It told how the clown was embarrassed to call a dog barking at everyone Hitler, because it might be offended. In 1956, Bergman became an Honored Artist of the RSFSR. The clown was able to create the mask of an important dandy, wearing an absurdly smart suit. The circus performer switched to conversational reprises, speaking not only in household topics, but even about politics. Bergman was quite a versatile clown, including other acts. He jumped over the car like an acrobat, took part in air flights. Bergman toured the country a lot, and Iran applauded him. The famous clown starred in two films; in “Girl on a Ball” he essentially played himself.
Leonid Engibarov
Despite short life, this man managed to leave a bright mark on art. Mim managed to create a new role - a sad clown, and besides, Engibarov was also a talented writer. By 1961, Engibarov had traveled to many Soviet cities and had it everywhere resounding success. At the same time, a trip abroad took place, to Poland, where the clown was also applauded by grateful spectators. In 1964 at International festival In Prague, Engibarov was recognized as the best clown in the world, and his short stories began to be published.
Yury Nikulin
Most people know Nikulin as a brilliant film actor. But his calling was the circus. After the end of hostilities, Nikulin tried to enter VGIK and others theater institutes. But he was not accepted anywhere because of his acting talents. admissions committees see in young man could not. As a result, Nikulin entered the clownery studio at the Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. The young actor began assisting Karandash together with Mikhail Shuidin. The couple went on tour a lot and quickly gained experience. Since 1950, Nikulin and Shuidin began to work independently. Their collaboration lasted until 1981. If Shuidin had the image of a shirtless guy who knows everything, then Nikulin portrayed a lazy and melancholy person.
Marcel Marceau
During World War II, an aspiring clown fled the country. He took part in the Resistance, and most of his relatives, including his parents, died in Auschwitz. In 1947, Marceau created his most famous image. Beep the Clown, with a white face, a striped sweater and a tattered hat, became famous throughout the world. At the same time, the clown troupe “Commonwealth of Mimes” was created, which existed for 13 years. Productions of this unusual theater with one-man performances we saw the best venues in the country. For his contribution to art, the actor received France's highest award - the Legion of Honor.
Oleg Popov
The artist was able to create the artistic image of the “Sunny Clown”. This cheerful man with a shock of light brown hair wore excessive wide pants and a checkered cap. In his performances, the clown uses a variety of techniques - acrobatics, juggling, parody, balancing act. Special attention is given to the entre, which are realized with the help of eccentricities and buffoonery. Among Popov’s most famous reprises one can recall “Whistle”, “Beam” and “Cook”. In his most famous act, the clown tries to catch Sun Ray in the bag. The artist’s creativity was not limited to the theater alone; he acted a lot on television and participated in the children’s television show “Alarm Clock.” Popov even acted in films (more than 10 films) and directed circus performances. The famous clown took part in the first tours of the Soviet circus around Western Europe. Performances there brought Popov truly world fame. The clown became a laureate of the International Circus Festival in Warsaw, received an Oscar in Brussels, and received the Golden Clown prize at the festival in Monte Carlo.
Slava Polunin
In the 1980s, Vyacheslav created famous theater"Actors." He literally blew the audience away with the numbers “Asisyai”, “Nizzya” and “Blue Canary”. The theater became very popular. In 1982, Polunin organized the Mime Parade, which attracted more than 800 pantomime artists from all over the country. In 1985, as part of the World Meeting of Youth and Students, a festival was held, in which international clowns also took part. Since then, Polunin has organized many festivals, staged performances, numbers and reprises, trying on a variety of masks. Since 1988, the clown has moved abroad, where he gains worldwide fame. His " cSnow Show"is now considered a theatrical classic. Spectators say that Polunin’s snow warms their hearts. The clown's works were awarded the Laurence Olivier Award in England, awards in Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Barcelona. Polunin is an honorary resident of London.
The Parisians liked this special, alien habit of making people laugh. Researchers of circus comedy call this style English. And this is not without meaning. After all, clown masks came to arenas all over the world from England. By the way, even today in large and small European circuses the clowns are mostly English.
clown name
Alternative descriptions. (before 27 BC Octavian) (63 BC - 14 BC) from 27 BC e. first roman emperor
II Strong (1670-1733) Elector of Saxony (under the name of Frederick Augustus I) from 1694, King of Poland in 1697-1706, 1709-33
III Frederick (1696-1763) King of Poland and Elector of Saxony from 1733
Brother of Julius Caesar, adopted by him
Eighth month of the calendar year
Emperor Octavian's name
The best month for collecting medicinal herbs
The month when you won't be able to open the window on the bus, the same one you couldn't close in December (Leonard Levinson)
Male name: (Latin) majestic, regal
One of the ancient Roman rulers
Last Roman Emperor, general
Story by G. Hesse
Roman by K. Hamsun
Serpen
Autumn is coming, outside the windows - ... (song)
Radio station in Tolyatti
Leo month (zodiac sign)
Month of the year
It was in this month that the 1991 coup took place.
The name of the German immunologist Wasserman
In what month? folk signs Ilya's day is coming?
This Roman emperor declared Apollo his patron and established centuries-old games in his honor.
What month in the ancient Russian calendar was called dawn?
What month in the ancient Russian calendar was called serpen?
Roman Emperor in the sixth month
A month in which notebooks sell well
The first emperor of Rome, whose title was borne by all subsequent rulers
Month under the sign of Leo
Starfall month
Velvet month at the resort
Imperial month
Circus profession, clown
Male name
Roman Emperor
A character from Y. Olesha’s fairy tale “Three Fat Men”
Poem by V. Bryusov
Pre-autumn month
A month of vacation
Month of Savior
The month of the coup in 1991
Month in the name of Pinochet
Month of farewell to summer
Summer month
In what month is Elijah's day?
Leo month
It's a sick month now
Emperor in the eighth month
What happened before September?
Month under the patronage of Leo
Eighth month of the calendar
Moon or Roman Emperor
Emperor in the sixth month
The month of Leo meeting Virgo
Last month of summer
Summer vacation month
The month that closes the holiday season
Month before September
Month following July
Month of Leo's date with Virgo
Replaces July
. "replacement" of July
. "eight-month" Roman emperor
The month before autumn
What comes after July?
Finish of summer
Roman Emperor with a "summer" name
Just before September
What comes after July?
Immediately after July
September is closing in on him
Whose September is nipping at its heels?
Between July and September
Always gives way to September
Finish of summer holidays
Crowned summer month
It's not September yet, but it's not July either
Month of stocking school accessories
Always comes after July
What's ahead of September?
Who's in line after July?
Always worth after July
The month that closes summer
Crowned month of summer
Caesar's nephew who defeated Antony and Cleopatra
Male name (lat. sacred)
Another name for the Roman Emperor Octavian
Summer month of the year
Month of the year
Roman Emperor, Caesar's nephew
Ancient Roman emperor, great-nephew of Caesar (63 BC - 14 AD)
Eighth month of the calendar year
Velvet month at the resort
. "Eight Month" Roman Emperor
. "Imperial" month
. July's "replacement"
In what month is Elijah's day
In what month, according to folk signs, does Elijah’s day occur?
July always changes
What month in the ancient Russian calendar was called dawn?
What month in the ancient Russian calendar was called serpen
Whose September is nipping at their heels?
Who's in line after July?
M. name of the eighth month of the year, old. sickle, roar; Vlad. Gustar, they eat everything abundantly and thickly. August, August, August, related to August. In August the sickles are warm, the water is cold. Look at oats and flax in August, earlier they are unreliable. A peasant has three worries in August: mowing, plowing, and sowing. August destroys, but then amuses. August is hard labor, but after that there will be a riot. August cabbage, and March sturgeon. For women, there is a holiday in August, the harvest, and from September it is Indian summer. Augustus is a gatherer or a storekeeper. Augustus, honor, majesty, title of the Sovereign and His family; from lat. augustus, glorious, illustrious. The very name of the month was given in honor of the Roman emperor. Augusta
The month that closes the beach season
Character from Y. Olesha's fairy tale "Three Fat Men"
Last month of summer
Follower of July
Month preceding September
Roman Emperor with a "summer" name
The month after July
What happened before September
What comes after July
What comes after July
What's ahead of September?
Clowns have been present in our culture for quite some time. One can recall at least the related jesters who were at court and entertained the nobility. The word “clown” itself appeared at the beginning of the 16th century. This was originally the name given to a comic character from English medieval theater. This hero improvised a lot, and his jokes were simple and even rude.
Today, a clown is a circus or variety performer who uses slapstick and grotesquery. This profession is not as simple as it seems. In addition, clowns work in various genres; no self-respecting circus can do without such people. Who else will make the audience laugh between numbers?
It’s interesting that in America the image of a clown is surprisingly scary. This is due to numerous works where this image is presented as bloodthirsty and cruel (just remember the Joker). Even such a mental illness as clownphobia has appeared. When talking about modern clownery, one cannot fail to mention the name of Charlie Chaplin. This comedian served as an inspiration for actors in this genre, his image was copied and reused.
It must be said that the most outstanding clowns realized themselves far beyond the circus, in cinema and theater, while also performing tragic repertoire. About the most famous people This funny, not difficult profession will be discussed below.
Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837). This English actor is considered the father of modern clowning. It is believed that it was he who became the first clown with a European face. Thanks to Grimaldi, the comic character became the central figure of the English harlequinade. Joseph's father, an Italian, was himself a pantonymist, artist and choreographer in the theater. And my mother performed in the corps de ballet. Since the age of two, the boy has been performing on the theater stage. Failures in personal life turned young Grimaldi's gaze to work. The production in Royal Theater"Tales of Mother Goose." The actor became a clear innovator, because his character, Joy the Clown, is similar to modern images. The clown was the central character in the performances; he came up with buffoonery and visual tricks, invariably making the audience laugh. The image of a simpleton and a fool dates back to the times of commedia dell'arte. Grimaldi brought female pantomime to the theater and established the tradition of audience participation in the performances. Playing on stage undermined the clown's health, effectively making him crippled. At 50, Grimaldi was broke and lived on a pension and assistance from charity performances in his honor. When he died, the newspapers wrote with bitterness that the spirit of pantomime was now lost, because there was simply no equal to the clown in terms of talent.
Jean-Baptiste Auriol (1806-1881). At the beginning of the 19th century, there was no such image of a clown. In the arena, comic equestrian acrobats joked, there was a mime rider and a clown. This state of affairs changed when the figure of Jean-Baptiste Auriol appeared in the French circus. As a child, he was sent to be trained by a family of rope dancers. Soon Jean-Baptiste became an independent artist in a run-of-the-mill traveling circus. The artist's career quickly took off; the acrobat rider with comic talents was noticed. In the early 1830s he was invited to join the Luasse troupe. With her, Oriol began traveling around Europe. The next step was the Paris Olympic Theater-Circus. The debut took place on July 1, 1834. Jean-Baptiste showed himself to be a versatile master - he is a tightrope walker, a juggler and a strongman. Moreover, he was also a grotesque actor. A strong and powerful body was crowned with a cheerful face, whose grimaces made the audience laugh. The clown wore a special costume, which was a modernized outfit of a medieval jester. But Oriol did not have makeup, he only used general primer. Essentially, the work of this clown can be considered carpet-bending. He filled the pauses between performances and parodied the main repertoire. It was Oriol who shaped the image of the clown, gave it light French humor and brought romanticism to the circus. In his old age, Oriol began to play in comic scenes, participating in pantomimes.
Grock (1880-1959).
The real name of this Swiss is Charles Adrien Wettach. His family was an ordinary peasant family, but his father was able to instill in his son a love of the circus. Charles's talent was noticed by the clown Alfredo, who invited the young guy to join the traveling circus troupe. Having gained experience in it, Charles left his partners and went to France. By that time, the clown had learned to play several musical instruments, knew how to juggle, and was an acrobat and tightrope walker. Only at the Swiss National Circus in the city of Nimes, the young artist only achieved work as a cashier. Charles was able to make friends with the musical eccentric Brick, eventually replacing his partner Brock. The new clown chose the pseudonym Grok. The artist's debut at the Swiss National Circus took place on October 1, 1903. The troupe toured a lot. With her, Grok visited Spain, Belgium and even South America. In 1911, the clown suffered a fiasco in Berlin, but the tour in Austria-Hungary and Germany in 1913 was much more successful. Grok became known as the King of the Clowns. Touring Russia also turned out to be a triumph. After the end of the war, Grok resumed performing again, touring even in America. In the early 30s, the clown even made a film about himself, which was not successful. After the end of World War II, the artist released two more films with his best performances, and in 1951 he even opened his own circus “Grok”. The famous clown's last appearance in the arena took place in 1954. A mask is named after Grock, which is awarded as a prize at the European International Circus Clown Festival. Mikhail Rumyantsev (1901-1983). Clown Pencil is a classic of the Soviet circus. Mikhail's introduction to art began in art schools , however, the training did not arouse interest. The future artist’s working career began with drawing posters for the theater. In 1925, Rumyantsev moved to Moscow, where he began to draw movie posters. Fateful for It was 1926 when he saw Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks next to him. Like them, Rumyantsev decided to become an actor. After the stage movement courses there was a school of circus arts. From 1928 to 1932, the clown appeared in public in the image of Charlie Chaplin. Since 1935, Rumyantsev began to use his new image of Caran d'Asha. In 1936, the clown worked in the Moscow circus; the final point in the formation of his new image was a small Scotch terrier. The clown's performances were dynamic, filled with satire on the most pressing problems in society. Coming on tour to new town, the artist tried to insert the name of some local popular place into his speech. In the 40-50s, Karandash began to attract assistants to his performances, among whom Yuri Nikulin stood out. The clown was so popular that only his performances guaranteed financial success for the circus. The cheerful clown devoted himself conscientiously to his work, but even outside the arena he demanded complete dedication from his assistants. Pencil's career in the circus spans 55 years. He last appeared in the arena just 2 weeks before his death. The artist’s work has been awarded numerous awards; he was a Hero of Socialist Labor, People’s Artist of Russia and the USSR.
Nook (1908-1998). The German Georg Spillner became known to the whole world under this pseudonym. When he began his working career as a dentist in 1932, no one expected such a sharp turn in his fate. But Georg soon abandoned this work, becoming a musical clown. Already in 1937, the German Theater in Munich declared him as the most famous clown in Europe. The artist’s “trick” was his large suitcase and huge coat, which concealed a variety of musical instruments. Nuk performed at the most famous concert venues in Europe, but despite his fame he remained a rather modest person. The clown was very musical, playing the saxophone, mandolin, flute, clarinet, violin, and harmonica. In the 60s they wrote about him as the most gentle clown of all time. Nuk was often compared to another legend, Grok, but the German had his own unique image. They say that one day a certain clown wanted to buy one of his numbers for Nuka, but he refused. After all, his image is all of life, with its experience, feelings, success and slaps. Long years His wife, who played the piano, also appeared on stage with Georg. In 1991 for his charitable activities to their Germany awarded him the Cross of Merit. Nook himself said that there is a stereotype in society according to which there should be a clown in life sad person, and constantly joke on stage. But such an image has nothing in common with himself. The clown wrote that to obtain such a profession it is not necessary to study, but hard work is necessary. The artist's secret was simple - everything that was in his performance was experienced personally by Georg.
Konstantin Bergman (1914-2000). This Soviet carpet clown appeared in the family of a circus orchestra conductor. It is not surprising that the boy was constantly attracted to the arena. Since childhood, he participated in pantomimes, mastering other genres of circus art. His professional career as a clown began at the age of 14; with his brother Nikolai, he staged the act “Vaulting Acrobats.” Until 1936, the couple performed together, using the images of popular comedy film actors H. Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin. During the war, Bergman performed as part of front-line brigades. The simple reprise “Dog Hitler” brought him fame. It told how the clown was embarrassed to call a dog barking at everyone Hitler, because it might be offended. In 1956, Bergman became an Honored Artist of the RSFSR. The clown was able to create the mask of an important dandy, wearing an absurdly smart suit. The circus performer switched to conversational reprises, talking not only about everyday topics, but even about politics. Bergman was quite a versatile clown, including other acts. He jumped over cars like an acrobat and took part in aerial flights. Bergman toured the country a lot, and Iran applauded him. The famous clown starred in two films; in “Girl on a Ball” he essentially played himself.
Leonid Engibarov (1935-1972). Despite his short life, this man managed to leave a bright mark on art. Mim managed to create a new role - a sad clown, and besides, Engibarov was also a talented writer. Leonid loved fairy tales since childhood and puppet show. At school, he began boxing and even entered the Institute of Physical Education, but quickly realized that this was not his calling. In 1955, Engibarov entered the Circus School, where he began to study clownery. While still a student, Leonid began performing on stage as a mime. A full-fledged debut took place in 1959 in Novosibirsk. By 1961, Engibarov had traveled to many Soviet cities and was a resounding success everywhere. At the same time, a trip abroad took place, to Poland, where the clown was also applauded by grateful spectators. In 1964, at the International Festival in Prague, Engibarov was recognized as the best clown in the world, and his short stories began to be published. Filming about a talented artist documentaries, he himself is involved in cinema, collaborating with Parajanov and Shukshin. The famous clown at the peak of his fame leaves the circus and creates his own theater. Engibarov, together with his constant director Yuri Belov, is staging the play “The Whims of the Clown.” During its 240-day national tour in 1971-1972, this performance was shown 210 times. The great clown died in a hot summer from a broken heart. When he was buried, it suddenly began to rain in Moscow. It seemed that the sky itself was mourning the loss of the sad clown. Yengibarov went down in circus history as a representative of the philosophical clown pantomime.
Yuri Nikulin (1921-1997). Most people know Nikulin as a brilliant film actor. But his calling was the circus. The father and mother of the future clown were actors, which must have predetermined Nikulin’s fate. He went through the entire war, receiving military awards. After the end of hostilities, Nikulin tried to enter VGIK and other theater institutes. But he was not accepted anywhere, since the selection committees could not discern any acting talent in the young man. As a result, Nikulin entered the clownery studio at the Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. The young actor began assisting Karandash together with Mikhail Shuidin. The couple went on tour a lot and quickly gained experience. Since 1950, Nikulin and Shuidin began to work independently. Their collaboration continued until 1981. If Shuidin had the image of a shirtless guy who knows everything, then Nikulin portrayed a lazy and melancholy person. In life, the partners in the arena practically did not maintain relationships. Since 1981, Nikulin became the main director of his native circus, and already from next year and director. One cannot ignore the participation of the famous clown in the movie. Debut on big screen took place in 1958. The comedies of Gaidai (“Operation Y” and other adventures of Shurik”, “ Caucasian captive", "The Diamond Arm"). However, he also has many serious films behind him - “Andrei Rublev”, “They Fought for the Motherland”, “Scarecrow”. The talented clone proved himself to be a serious and profound dramatic actor. Yuri Nikulin received the title People's Artist USSR and Hero socialist labor. Near the circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard there is a monument to the famous clown and his partner.
Marcel Marceau (1923-2007). This French actor mime created a whole school of his art. He was born in Jewish family in Strasbourg. Marcel developed an interest in acting after meeting Charlie Chaplin's films. Marceau studied at the School decorative arts in Limoges, then at the Sarah Bernhardt Theater, where Etienne Decroux taught him the art of mimicry. During World War II, an aspiring clown fled the country. He took part in the Resistance, and most of his relatives, including his parents, died in Auschwitz. In 1947, Marceau created his most famous image. Beep the Clown, with a white face, a striped sweater and a tattered hat, became famous throughout the world. At the same time, the clown troupe “Commonwealth of Mimes” was created, which existed for 13 years. The productions of this unusual theater with one-man shows have seen the best stages in the country. In subsequent years, Marceau performed independently. He toured the Soviet Union several times, the first time this happened in 1961. In one of the scenes, sad Bip, sitting at the table, listened to his interlocutors. Turning to one, the clown did cheerful expression faces, and to the other - sad. The lines alternated and gradually became faster, forcing the clown to constantly change his mood. Only Marceau could do this. The miniatures featuring Bip are generally filled with sympathy for the poor fellow. In 1978, the clown created his own Paris School of Pantomime. New miniatures and new heroes appeared in his arsenal. They say that it was Marcel Marceau who taught him the famous moonwalk. For his contribution to art, the actor received France's highest award - the Legion of Honor.
Oleg Popov (born 1930). The famous artist is called the founding father of Soviet clownery. In 1944, while doing acrobatics, the young man met students of the circus school. Oleg was so fascinated by the circus that he immediately entered the school, receiving a specialty in eccentric on a wire in 1950. But already in 1951 Popov made his debut as a carpet clown. The artist was able to create the artistic image of the “Sunny Clown”. This cheerful man with a shock of light brown hair wore oversized trousers and a checkered cap. In his performances, the clown uses a variety of techniques - acrobatics, juggling, parody, balancing act. Particular attention is paid to entres, which are realized with the help of eccentricities and buffoonery. Among Popov’s most famous reprises one can recall “Whistle”, “Beam” and “Cook”. In his most famous act, the clown tries to catch a ray of sunlight in his bag. The artist’s creativity was not limited to the theater alone; he acted a lot on television and participated in the children’s television show “Alarm Clock.” Popov even acted in films (more than 10 films) and directed circus performances. The famous clown took part in the first tours of the Soviet circus in Western Europe. Performances there brought Popov truly worldwide fame. The clown became a laureate of the International Circus Festival in Warsaw, received an Oscar in Brussels, and received the Golden Clown prize at the festival in Monte Carlo. In 1991, Popov left Russia for personal reasons, and also unable to accept the collapse of the great Motherland. Now he lives and works in Germany, performing under the pseudonym Happy Hans.
Slava Polunin (born 1950). Polunin was educated at the Leningrad State Institute of Culture, and then at the variety department of GITIS. In the 1980s, Vyacheslav created the famous Lycedei Theater. He literally blew the audience away with the numbers “Asisyai”, “Nizzya” and “Blue Canary”. The theater became very popular. In 1982, Polunin organized the Mime Parade, which attracted more than 800 pantomime artists from all over the country. In 1985, as part of the World Meeting of Youth and Students, a festival was held, in which international clowns also took part. Since then, Polunin has organized many festivals, staged performances, numbers and reprises, trying on a variety of masks. Since 1988, the clown has moved abroad, where he gains worldwide fame. His “Snow Show” is now considered a theatrical classic. Spectators say that Polunin’s snow warms their hearts. The clown's works were awarded the Laurence Olivier Award in England, awards in Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Barcelona. Polunin is an honorary resident of London. The Western press calls him “the best clown in the world.” Despite the “frivolous” occupation, the clown approaches his work thoroughly. Even the craziest and most adventurous show performed by him is actually carefully thought out and balanced. Polunin works a lot and does not know how to rest at all, however, his life is a pleasure, on stage and off it. And most importantly, this person creates a holiday.
Before the admissions committee choreographic school Bolshoi Theater stood a small, childishly fragile girl. The strict examiners could not deny that the applicant was talented: she was flexible, strong, resilient - this was immediately obvious.
Although Irina Asmus did not have the opportunity to regularly study with choreographers as a child, the selection committee considered her worthy to study with them and become a ballerina. True, with one caveat... Ballerinas are needed in different ways, and the experienced eye of the examiners did not see the right one in the girl...
If anyone else were Asmus, she would either burst into tears or begin to prove the opposite to the teachers and choreographers. But Irina Asmus had a plan. She didn’t dream of going on stage in pointe shoes, she just wanted to perform and warm other people’s hearts. And if ballet could not provide her with sufficient space for self-realization, then this space can be looked for somewhere else, since there is always a choice.
Irina Asmus easily entered the State school variety and circus arts. Energy gushed out of her: during her studies, the young circus performer managed to try herself as an actress, starring in “the new adventures of Puss in Boots” in two roles at once.
In the circus she was attracted by balancing act. Small stature, the natural, almost cat-like flexibility and fearlessness of Irina Asmus played into the hands of the beginning tightrope walker. She performed the most difficult stunts with unique grace. The audience watched her every move with bated breath. The future of a circus performer shone before the girl in all her mystical beauty. But during one of the training sessions, Irina Asmus received a serious injury. I had to wait a bit with the balancing act.
Separation from the stage was unbearable for Amsus, and Irina decided to conquer the theater stage. She entered the drama studio of the Leningrad Theater young viewer. At first, the theater was not as hospitable to her as the circus. Her small stature and external fragility, which helped her so much in balancing act, determined the role of the actress in the theater. She had to play children and teenagers.
But this did not suit the ambitious Irina Asmus. She dreamed of serious dramatic roles and was ready to work on herself and polish her acting skills. The actress’s dreams were destined to come true on the stage of the V.F. Theater. Komissarzhevskaya, where she played the roles of Raymonda, Juliet and many others. Critics quickly took notice of the actress; she received rave reviews from both them and the audience.
But the circus did not leave Irina Asmus’s thoughts. She decided to combine two classes. Of course, balancing act remained for her, if not for everyone, then for many. But the return to the arena for Irina Asmus was not marked by the fact that she would once again fly under the circus dome, but by the birth of a new character - the clown Iriska. It was Toffee that made Asmus famous throughout Soviet Union and settled in the hearts of millions of children for a long time.
Iriska received such a sweet name thanks to Alexander Volodin. The famous playwright and screenwriter knew Irina Asmus primarily as a talented theater actress and was incredibly surprised when he saw her in the arena. It was from his lips that the famous “Toffee” came out.
Butterscotch was an unusual clown. There was no unnecessary antics in her, and she seemed to have forgotten her big red nose in the dressing room. The image created by Irina Asmus seemed to be imbued with tenderness and romance. Toffee seemed fragile and feminine, and her humor was soft and, at the same time, topical. For example, in one of the scenes, Asmus showed how work and household chores kill a woman’s beauty.
In 1978, Toffee appeared on TV screens in the children's entertainment and educational program “ABVGDeyka”. Soviet children fell in love with the kind clown at first sight. They wrote letters to her, the girls wanted to be like her: they put on red caps and sent their photographs to Iriska.
In one of the programs, Iriska sang a song that contained words that seemed to be written not about the clown, but about the artist who embodied this character: “My dream is to enter the arena as an artist and give people the joy of life.” Irina Asmus gave joy to many people different ages, which is what she dreamed of when she was just starting her journey.
For seven years, Iriska, along with other clowns, regularly attended classes at ABCGDeyka, watching as one generation of spectators was replaced by another. In 1985, Toffee was replaced by another clown. The little spectators missed their favorite artist, but life had its own way, and soon letters asking for Toffee to be returned will stop being written and will be replaced by children’s tears...
In 1986 she went on tour to Gomel. Her son served there, and the artist wanted to see him. In the circus, Asmus gradually returned to performing complex tightrope tricks. On March 15, while performing one of them, Irina Asmus fell to her death from the height of the circus dome. The son took his mother’s body from Gomel and buried her in his native St. Petersburg.
Despite the fact that Asmus was 44 years old when she performed that fateful stunt, her talent and skill were highly valued. After the death of everyone's favorite clown, the mechanism used in the death act was banned.
Elena Gromova
