Russian clowns

Photos by Igor Tabakov

The Russian circus performers have changed a lot over the years. What was once known as the classical Russian circus has now become something more akin to characters you’ll find in a theater – odd, creative, esoteric even. But traditional circus performers like the ones in the pictures here are the ones that originally stole my heart and kept it for years: the classical clowns, with costumes dreamed up and created by the performers themselves. There was a certain simplicity to it all, a humor that was understood by the audience. Some would even say that there was a certain Russianness to it all. Changes maybe be happening, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for old school circus.

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