The Samara State Circus of Oleg Popov begins its history in August 1969. It was then that his building was built, which was successfully located on the embankment of the Volga River. The address of the Samara Circus is familiar not only to citizens, it is Molodogvardeiskaya Street, 220. You can get there by metro: Alabinskaya and Rossiyskaya stops. Tickets are worth buying in advance, as a full house often happens. Opening hours - from 10:00 to 19:00 daily.
Samara State Circus: Description
The appearance of the circus, like the whole architecture of that time, was no different from its counterparts in other big cities. The building itself has a rounded shape and is somewhat reminiscent of a flying saucer. Inside is the arena, which hosts incredible performances of touring and local troupes.
The circus acquired its name thanks to the famous actor Oleg Popov, who is known to everyone as the sunniest and most fun clown.
Program of performances
The Samara circus, the description of which is given above, has always been famous for interesting programs and exciting numbers. Trained animals, clowns, gymnasts, jugglers, acrobats - all numbers are held as a fun holiday, which attracts not only children but also adults. Also a big plus for guests is that during the intermission everyone can take pictures with various animals right in the circus. The famous dynasty of circus artists Filatovs performed at the arena. They presented to the audience their new project, which Moscow directors worked on.
Many exotic animals were brought to the Samara Circus for presentation, such as: camels, llamas, noses, porcupines, pelicans. In the program, the stage directors involved a show ballet, and the whole action of the circus performers was accompanied by laser and light design. Spectators could enjoy the spectacle of the illusionary attraction “Family of magicians”, laugh at the comic number “Spider-Man and the dog-superman under the dome of the circus”, admire the incredible freaks of the gymnasts.
Special numbers
The audience was especially impressed by the well-known, but beloved by all, room with juggling on a bicycle, as well as funny mischievous multi-colored dogs. The program also included a soap bubble show and the most exciting one: the Bear Circus attraction, in which 15 predators were involved.
Nadezhda Skvirskaya, an experienced tamer, presented her unique issue, The White Lions of Africa. The spectators were also expected by aerobatics to ride on reins, a trio of virtuoso artists, a trained pony, a power juggler, a gutta-percha gymnast performing her number on an aerial trapeze, clever equilibrists and much more. Throughout the performance, the audience was charged with laughter and positive "MIKOS", a clown trio. The long-awaited fun that was presented to the audience by the clown duet “PIK-NIK” did not go unnoticed.
"Dreams of Scheherazade"
Also, the Samara circus was able to give its audience a magical and mysterious tale "Dreams of Scheherazade." Hovering under the very dome of the circus, world famous artists told their guests an oriental tale using incredibly dangerous stunts on a rope without insurance, as well as unforgettable acrobatic exercises and gymnastic studies.
Of course, the performance was not without graceful animals: African lions, leopards, jaguars and cougars. This performance left a pleasant memory in the hearts of the audience and gave a sense of magic and faith in a fairy tale.
Opinion of the audience about the "Dreams"
The audience who were at this performance shared their delighted reviews and stories about how they were worried about the artists at the time of dangerous tricks. How they liked the gymnasts, and how they laughed at the comic numbers, not to mention the performance of the animals, which everyone was looking forward to. Summing up the results of this performance, we can say with accuracy that it must be visited by all circus lovers and take a fresh look at oriental tales.
Nostalgia
An indelible positive impression on the audience was left by the Samara Circus program called “Soviet Circus”. For a whole month, guests could be surrounded by talents, honored and folk artists. The program included the entire old circus school and the numbers that we managed to collect from all cities of Russia.
The Kuban Cossacks showed the most complicated tricks with their artistry and unsurpassed skill; tightrope walkers Mednikovs, who infected the whole kid with their skills and even allowed them to try themselves in the role of tightrope walkers.
Shpentik and Aunt Motya killed their guests with wit and endless jokes. Also attended: the sorcerer, magician and wizard - Igor Shtein, Alexander Valiev with his smart trained dogs, as well as air gymnast Roman Gudalov, who performed incredible stunts under the very dome of the circus.
Of course, a circus cannot be without animals. Therefore, the program included the "Jungle" ride, where a smart monkey performs intricate stunts on a rope and even rides a pony and a real boar. Not without exotic animals, among which was a serious crocodile and an impressive python.
What the near future holds
At the moment, the circus is preparing to present its audience with another exciting program, filled with numbers featuring animals. Here you can see pigs, horses, cows, geese, sheep and even the largest bear in a circus about three meters tall. This program was called "Farm Frenzy", and for a reason! All animals will show their skills and life on the Farm Frenzy. And the guests are expected to arrive naughty river guests - beavers. This will be a performance!
Amazing museum
The circus is a favorite place for children and adults, where you can admire incredible tricks, laugh heartily, watch amazing exotic animals and enjoy such a pleasant and useful pastime.
But not only the performances are famous for the Samara Circus named after Oleg Popov. The building houses a real museum. His collection includes exhibits such as the famous painting “Clowns are coming”, photographs and portraits of celebrities with autographs, as well as all the old posters. The museum also contains documents that testify to the history of circus activities, and you can also see collections of stage costumes for artists there.
The museum management did not forget to mention other Russian circus venues, built like Samara. There are about eleven of them - in Novosibirsk, Voronezh, Cherepovets, Ufa, Donetsk, Bryansk, Perm and other cities. Since the circus is named after Oleg Popov, the management decided to recreate the dressing room of the great clown in the museum and place in it a sculpture-copy of a wonderful artist cast from wax. Oleg Popov himself was ignited by the idea of the museum and handed over to his use not only part of his props, but also the famous checkered cap that everyone loved. The museum at the Samara Circus was opened in 2007, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the institution. Here guests will find a wonderful journey into the fairy world, starting with traveling big top circuses and their performances to the present.
Buffet
Not so long ago a buffet appeared in the building. Here is a rich assortment of sandwiches, rolls, drinks, sweets. Prices are very affordable. The service is quick. The barmaid is a very friendly girl, with a cheerful smile and a sweet voice.
Children are happy to have a sweet cake with compote or juice during the intermission in the buffet.
Reconstruction
Now the Samara circus, the photo of which is presented in the article, is waiting for the reconstruction of the building, since it has long been in a deplorable state. It was supposed to start back in 2012, but, for vague reasons, was constantly delayed. The next expected date for the opening of the updated circus is the spring of 2018. Most importantly, the building is not planned to be strongly modified. The most important thing that the emphasis is on is to put the room in order, but without interfering with its architectural features, since at the moment the supporting structures are completely intact and require only updating.
For the convenience of the audience, it was proposed to increase the width of the seats in the hall, but this idea was rejected, as this would require a decrease in the number of seats from 2200 to 1800. It is planned to update the facade. They want to protect the stained glass of the circus with a special lattice, which will serve as protection of the building from overheating. They decided to paint the building itself in a bright orange color, but this decision was left in doubt for now, trying to understand how such a bright spot could fit into the surrounding architectural ensemble.
In front of the circus there will be a terrace on which it is supposed to open attractions and other entertainments for children. But from the multifunctional interactive arena, which will include regular, water and ice cover, the designers had to refuse. The reason for this was that for such an undertaking it is necessary to have a basement with a depth of 16 meters. This is almost impossible, because it would have to dig a foundation, that is, to rebuild the building. But the designers were able to invest all their ambitious desires in the development of the administrative complex, which is located behind the main building.
The first floor will be given completely for storage facilities, the second - for living animals, there will also be a rehearsal arena. On the third floor there will be choreographic and gymnastic halls. The connection of the building with the administrative part will be through a transition. The administration will be located on the first floor of the block; from the second to the fourth, 60 hotel rooms and make-up rooms will be occupied.
As a result, all the talk about reconstruction is just plans, but the circus leadership does not lose hope for their implementation. In the meantime, the Samara Circus named after Oleg Popov is still waiting for his beloved spectators to his incredible colorful performances, replenishing them with unusual and exciting numbers.
Samara Circus: reviews
Everyone who attends the circus says that they really liked the program. It is interesting, there is something to see, the rooms are rich in exciting moments. Basically, everything goes beautifully, spectacularly. The animals are all well-groomed, well-fed. It can be seen that they are really taken care of. The artists are all bright, in unusual colorful costumes. And their skill is impossible not to envy.
Emotions are beyond words. Guests especially like the fact that the whole performance is accompanied by laser and light effects, and video design is always at the highest level.
Many have gone there more than once and are advised to definitely visit the institution, bring children here. The Samara Circus, reviews of visitors about which show its splendor and enchantment, will be loved by everyone who gets acquainted with its program.