The Moscow Grand Circus gets ready to amaze and astonish Abu Dhabi’s residents with a show to remember
The excitement is palpable; a living, breathing thing that seems to engulf everyone in the room as we sit and wait, the anticipation slowly building in the darkened room.
With a barrel of freshly popped kernels warming my lap, I grip the armrests eagerly. Something is happening! A rustle and flurry of movement comes from the deep red velvet curtains behind the stage, and a hush seems to settle itself in the noisy room. Everyone’s eyes are pinned to the stage. And then, without warning, a bright halo of light appears in the centre, moving side to side, growing more furious and wild as the spotlight shoots across the ceiling and walls. A deep, powerful voice, floating in the air, then rouses the audience to attention.
“Laaaaaadies and gentlemaaaaaan! Booooys and giiiiirls, prepare to be astonished, dazzled and delighted! Come one, come all, the circus is in town!”
When I think back to the memories of my time visiting the circus, they are just as vivid and exciting as when I was a young girl. It was a tradition in our family, my father and mother carting my siblings and I to the circus every year it happened to visit our town, where we’d all be awed by astonishing acrobatics, delighted by the hilarious clowns and, of course, amazed at the magical moments unfolding before our eyes.
And so when I heard the circus was coming to town, I couldn’t help but relive a bit of my childhood delight.
The Moscow Grand Circus will be in town from 25th to 28th September at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The world premiere is set to provide a diverse and entertaining show with acts varying from graceful ballet performances, daring acrobatics, and kooky clowns. Featuring talented and elite acts from Moscow and across Russia, this traditional circus has been revamped with a contemporary twist for a show that promises to be both memorable and mesmerising.
The show is produced by Gandey World Class Productions, an entertainment company that has been putting on larger-than-life shows for over 40 years in top cities around the world. With experience delighting audiences throughout the Middle East, China, the United Kingdom and Western Europe, the company is once again returning to Abu Dhabi with a brand new act. After the successful run of the Chinese State Circus last year at ADNEC, the company is excited to feature the world premier of the Moscow Grand Circus.
Phillip Gandey, director at Gandey World Class Productions, says “Gandey Productions continues to put together some of the most spectacular and innovative Russian circus performances. We have handpicked artists for the Moscow Grand Circus to create a one-of-a-kind show. The line-up includes award-winning clowns from the Monte Carlo circus festival, a seven-member Didyk Troupe that will enthrall spectators with daring acts on the trapeze swing, and Fakhriddin Akhnazarov, one of the strongest men in the world. We look forward to entertaining and challenging the imagination of our audiences in this region.”
The two-hour show will feature a 20-minute interval and will be once again hosted at ADNEC. Speaking of the new show, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, chief commercial officer at ADNEC added, “We are keen on attracting new events that entertain audiences and capture their imagination. Following the successful run of the ‘Chinese State Circus’ last year, we are pleased to host the ‘Moscow Grand Circus’. Over the years, we have found an ideal partner in the company for the creativity it brings to the world of entertainment and capacity to meet the expectations of the discerning audiences in the UAE.”
Enter the Ring
Circus-goers and audience members will be able to see a variety of fantastic and disciplined performers, specially selected for the performance. Read on to find out more about the merry-makers of Moscow…
Amazing Acrobatics
Victoria Antipova has won a variety of international awards for her aerial work and was selected to appear in the prestigious, ‘Stars of Russian Circus’ national showcase in Moscow.
Anna Rastsova will be performing death-defying stunts and tricks with beauty and grace on the swinging trapeze.
Look Ma, no hands!
Albert Arslanov is a graduate from the Moscow State Circus and juggled his way to the top, holding the award for Best Juggler from 1989 to 1992.
Clowning Around
The Stolirov clowns have kept the fun in the family. Vladimir Stolirov graduated from the Moscow School of Circus and Variety Acts and has won a variety of awards for his performances, including a silver prize winner of the International Circus Festival in Monaco.
Denis Stolirov made his theatrical debut at the age of 12 in 1995. A universal circus artist, his philosophy that “a clown should be able to do everything,” will keep guests delighted.
To book tickets: The show will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Ticket prices start from AED 150 for adults and from AED 75 for children 12 years of age and under. All children’s tickets under 12 years of age are half price. To book tickets in advance please visit: www.boxofficeme.com
