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The Great Moscow Circus
Prestigious Russian
act returns to Hong Kong
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(Bernice Ha)
Photos & text by Bernice Ha, Fung Ying, Ronnie Kwok, Jenny Chan & Penelope Yau
People
say life is a circus. But what is life really like in a circus? Greg
Hall, touring director of The Great Moscow Circus, knows the answer.
According to him, life in a circus is not just about pulling hair and
throwing balls around.
He said, “Anything can happen in the circus within a short period
a time, even some intense emotional events, like death.”
Greg recalled a friend of his who died in the circus.
“He died of an electric shock,” he said, sorrowfully.
“Any terrible accident can happen in the circus. People can break
their legs and their arms if they are not careful.
“But there are so many things that you can learn in a circus.
Obedience and tolerance, for example. You know how parents shout at
their children for not tidying up their rooms? This never happens in
the circus, because they simply have to do it. They know it. Because
we are moving from place to place all the time.
“Can you believe that a 12-year-old boy has been to 42 countries?
It’s possible because he is one of us.”
Besides having the chance to travel to interesting countries, troupe
members derive satisfaction from their shows and audiences’ reactions.
“The circus is about bringing happiness to people. Having a successful
show is just like getting a gold medal in the Olympic Games,”
he said.
The circus is an ancient art in Russia.
“The circus is like a religion in Russia. It maintains a cultural
level as high as that of the opera. This is how important the circus
is in Russian society.
“Circus school is as famous to the Russians as Oxford University
to the British,” said Greg.
“Anyone can get on the trapeze in 6 months, unless you are absolutely
hopeless,” he joked.
Greg said it is impossible for him to imagine himself doing any other
job.
“I can sing when I want to sing, dance on the table when I want
to. When I’m unhappy or feel bad, I just have to come out and
look at the audience and I am happy.
“Laughter and applause are my office’s background music.
I don’t think any other job can provide this.”
Established in 1919, The Great Moscow Circus has attracted over 60,000
people since it opened in Wanchai on 12 December 2003. Tickets for the
circus, which will be touring eight residential areas, start at $100.
(Penelope Yau)
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Left: (Fung Ying) ; Right: (Fung Ying)
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Left: (Jenny Chan) ; Right: (Penelope Yau)
(Penelope Yau)
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Left: (Fung Ying) ; Right: (Bernice Ha)