Saratov Circus to them. Brothers Nikitin: description, history and reviews

The circus lives by legends and traditions. The invisible spirit of the great artists who once performed in the arenas of old circuses, as if concentrating under the dome and supporting modern circus youth. And for the audience, this imperceptible image creates the illusion of a holiday and a mystery that envelops every stepped-in threshold of the front entrance. To the full, you feel it, visiting the Saratov Circus. Brothers Nikitins - one of the oldest stationary circuses in Russia.

The history of the circus brothers Nikitin

Legends begin with everyday, everyday events. How else to consider the return in 1873 to their homeland, to Saratov, the brothers Peter, Akim and Dmitry Nikitin - artists and beginners circus entrepreneurs. The appearance in the city of brothers immediately took advantage of the owner of a circus touring in Saratov Emmanuel Baranek. Standing on the verge of ruin, he suggested that Nikitin become partners and co-owners of the enterprise. It was a sensible step - the artists brothers were universal. Dmitri was famous as a virtuoso balalaika and an athlete, Akim was a red clown, a knife (an artist demonstrating the flexibility of his body) and a juggler, and Peter owned an antipode (juggling with his feet), gymnastics, acrobatics and surprised the public with swordplay. In the same year, the brothers bought from Baranek his circus property, and in 1876 a stationary wooden building was built on Mitrofanyevskaya Square. From that time the Saratov Circus also leads its calendar.

There was an interesting fact. The brothers Nikitin did not stop at the base of one circus. They built buildings in Nizhny Novgorod, Kharkov, Tiflis, Odessa, Baku. The circus empire of the brothers was crowned with a circus in Moscow (1912) on the Sadovo-Triumphal (now Satire Theater). For Saratov, a draft of a stone building with an amphitheater for 2,000 seats was prepared, but the war that broke out demolished the Nikitins' grandiose plans.

The fate of the circus after the revolution

The October Revolution changed the life in the country and restructured the circus. Nationalization took place, and the Saratov Circus entered the structure of the City Art Trust, and later in the All-Union Directorate of State Circuses. In 1931 the circus changed its address, a new stone building was built on Chapaeva Street. It did not shine with decoration, but it was convenient, and the auditorium contained 3 thousand seats. The audience loved the new building: in the first 5 years of the show more than 2 million people visited. According to the audience's feedback, you can assess the level of circus programs that came to Saratov - Vitaly Lazarenko, Vladimir Durov, Emil Kio, Boris Eder. Already at the dawn of existence, the circus began the production work. The audience saw pantomimes "Ready for battle" (1931-1932, production of Volsky), "Moscow is burning" (1932-1933, Alperov's production of Mayakovsky's poems) and other circus performances.

During the Great Patriotic War, the Saratov circus, the poster of which did not disappear from the city streets for a single day, continued to work and accepted artists who had been evacuated from the territories captured by the fascists.

In the postwar period, the circus survived several reconstructions. In the years 1959-1963. Made a phased change in the auditorium and the dome. At the same time, the tours of the artists continued, and the works were conducted in the off-season. In 1968 the hotel "Arena" was put into operation. The circus was repeatedly celebrated among the best, and by the 100th anniversary was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.

The second reconstruction of the building was timed to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the foundation (1998). The name of the Nikitin brothers was officially fixed on circus posters - thanks to the founders of the new generation of artists.

In the first days of the war, the collection of funds for the purchase of the Soviet Circus airplane for the front began. In Saratov, artists have collected almost 500 thousand rubles for this. In the spring of 1942, the circus received a telegram from Supreme Commander-in-Chief JV Stalin with gratitude for this act.

Circus legends of Saratov

The circus is an amazing place. Not because people in it walk on their hands or put their heads in the jaws of a lion and do it every day and without visible tension or fear. His imagination is democratic. Stars of the first magnitude, conquering the capital arenas and winning prizes at prestigious international festivals, get a start in life in the provincial arenas. The Saratov Circus is no exception to this rule.

In 1951, to participate in another program in the city came a young artist, a balancer on a loose wire, a recent graduate of a circus school. The premiere took place, but the young man did not participate in it because of the delay in the delivery of the props. And the misfortune happened on the performance - the clown clown broke two ribs and got to the hospital. Circus artists are universal, they own many genres and are able to change each other if necessary. Kovernogo should be replaced, and the choice fell on the beginner. Of course, he did not have experience, there was no repertoire. Several rehearsals, someone else's costume, unfamiliar props - and now a young artist on the arena makes his debut in a new role. But the spectators do not accept the newcomer - he tries to imitate the traumatized clown, and it does not work well for him, liquid, "polite" applause is heard in the auditorium. The number behind the number flew the first branch and the failure seemed unminiable.

It is difficult to say that in the intermission led the debutant to the kitchen of the circus dining room. Here he borrowed a chef's hood and apron, picked up a few pots and pans, and put a couple of potatoes and carrots in his pockets. The second branch began and the artist decided to shorten the path, to get to the arena confused service corridors. He ran to the sounds of music, opened all the doors and as a result was in the orchestra bed! Surprised musicians examined the unknown where the chef came from, and in the arena the first issue was already finished. Straight through the orchestra the newcomer went to the audience.

Surprised by the unexpected transformation of the clown and his unconventional appearance, the inspector of the arena (the host of the program) on the move orientated and played along. And now the spectators with interest consider the clown (they did not recognize him in the chef's suit), and he fussily juggles with carrots and potatoes, balances the pots. All this improvisation was accompanied by youthful enthusiasm and genuine courage. The auditorium was subdued, the debutant earned a storm of applause. Another 20 days the young artist replaced the clown's clown. He rehearsed reprises, made props, and jokes became sharper and funnier. From Saratov, the young man went to Riga already in the role of a clown, who does not change to this day.

Then there were other arenas of the Soviet Union, world fame, recognition, awards and the title of "Sunny Clown", which it (according to one of the legends) figuratively awarded the Queen of Belgium. But the feedback of the fans shows that they do not forget the debut in the distant 1951 on the arena of the Saratov circus of the People's Artist of the USSR Oleg Konstantinovich Popov.

Touring: orderly circulation

Circus conveyor ... This expression is puzzling in people who are not connected with the organization of tours. Meanwhile, the streams of artists who simultaneously move from one circus to another on trains and planes, or accompany animals and props on cars, resemble a giant conveyor that lives in constant motion. But thanks to this in every city, the audience sees the numbers and artists that make up the pride and elite of the Russian circus. The Saratov Circus is no exception to this rule.

The viewers' comments, like a time machine, are able to return in memory the memory of the tours of outstanding masters. The famous Clown Pencil (People's Artist of the USSR M. Rumyantsev) and the fearless trainer Irina Bugrimova and Margarita Nazarova shone in the arena . Saratov applauded the "Bear Circus" Valentine Filatov and the magic of the illusionist Emil Teodorovich Kio. Holding their breath, the audience watched Dagestani rope-walkers under the direction of Yaragi Hajikurbanov and dizzying jumps of acrobats Vladimir Doveyko. The entire color of Soviet, and then Russian, arena masters passed through one of the oldest arenas of the country thanks to an invisible circus conveyor.

Continuation of traditions

Life in the circus never ceases. Morning rehearsals are traditionally given for rooms with animals. Steppe camels, "ships of the desert," slowly shift from foot to foot. Their calmness is not able to deceive Irina Volodin, the head of the number "Traveling on camels." She knows how fast these sluggish, at first glance, ubiquins. And from the stables comes the fractional tapping of the hoofs of thoroughbred horses - anticipating their turn to go to the arena, the wards of Raisa Shanina are worried.

Family circus clips are shown figuratively in the posters posted around the city. Again on the arena representatives of famous dynasties - rope-walkers led by Patimat Hajikurbanova and an air flight created by Vladimir Doveyko. Loud names - like a sign of quality for the audience, seeking to get on a new program in the Saratov Circus. Tickets at the box office run out quickly. Their cost varies from 400 to 1500 rubles.

Festival "The Princess of the Circus"

In the Saratov circus a festival is held, the idea of which lies in the name itself. The story began in 2005, when the circus first tried its own forces in organizing a new format - the holding of a circus festival. To participate invited girls from all genres of circus art. This did not mean that male artists would not participate in the performance. But the jury was to evaluate only the art of circus beauties. The experiment turned out to be successful - the Saratov circus of the brothers Nikitin created a festival that took pride of place among the circus forums held in Russia.

In 2016, the VI Festival was held, expanding the geography of participants and adding to the title the word "international". Applications for participation from Brazil, Australia, China have been received. Representatives of Colombia and Mexico came to the city over the Volga. Contestants from 10 foreign countries considered it an honor to participate in the struggle for the crown of "The Princess of the Circus".

The zakulis: the life given to the circus

Talking about the circus, they often talk about artists. And they rarely recall people performing administrative and organizational work, worrying about the circus and serving its prosperity. Saratov Circus was lucky - they were always led by people who were not indifferent.

1873-1917 years.

The leadership lay on the shoulders of the Nikitin brothers, who created and laid the foundations of the circus Saratov circus traditions.

1918-1919

The first cooperative circus was formed. The artists chose the juggler NL Benedetto as the chairman of the cooperative. Artistic director was V. V. Milva.

1931-1938

The director of the Saratov Circus was NL Zelenev. At him the circus changed the address and moved to a new stone building. The traditions of military-patronage work were laid. By the same time, the beginning of the staging activity was included - the figurative means of the circus were used to solve the tasks of patriotic upbringing.

1938-1942

The period that began at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. Saratov accepted people evacuated from the territories occupied by the fascists. There were artists among them. On the basis of the Saratov circus, concert brigades were formed for performances before the Red Army soldiers in the rear and at the front. The director of the Saratov Circus was MVBabin.

1942-1961 gg.

Time management VL Marchenko. The city was returning to peaceful life, and the festive art of the circus was very popular. During this period (1950), B.I. Mamleev, the inspector of the arena, came to work in the circus, he went to the Saratov arena for more than 30 years.

1962-1976

Director of the Saratov Circus IV Dubinsky completed the reconstruction begun by the predecessor of the auditorium and the dome. The works were conducted in the off-season, without disrupting the tour schedule. For artists the hotel "Arena" was built. The circus received the status of a production and began to prepare new numbers and attractions, in Saratov a creative biography of the Kazakh circus ensemble began. The circus took the leading position in the system of the All-Union Union "Soyuzgotsirk". As part of the circus delegations, Joseph Veniaminovich visited Hungary, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Germany. In Australia, I saw an unusual fountain "Dandelion" and, returning to Saratov, did exactly the same on the square in front of the circus. Another bold idea - the organization of the circus school in Saratov - did not come to life. In 1976, IV Dubinsky died.

1977-1988

The baton of the circus leadership was accepted by V.P. Vladykin. He managed not to break the friendly creative atmosphere in the team. The Saratov Circus was repeatedly noted in the orders as an advanced enterprise, and the artists were happy to come on tour to the city over the Volga.

1988-1999

The collapse of the Soviet Union could not but affect the work of the circus. The unified system that united the circus enterprises was destroyed. In this period, the circus was headed by Yu. N. Avdeev. The press of financial turmoil forced to reduce the number of presentations - performances were held only three days a week. For this period it was necessary to celebrate the 125th anniversary. The circus was repaired, and on its facade appeared the inscription: "Circus named after the brothers Nikitin."

1999-2016

The renaissance of the Saratov Circus began under the leadership of the new director IG Kuzmin. He managed to stabilize the work, increase the number of performances and attract new spectators to the circus. This was facilitated by a whole series of festivals organized by the Saratov Circus: the II All-Russian Contest (1999), the All-Russian Competition of Clownery, Eccentrics and Parody (2001). Celebration of the 130th anniversary of the circus was marked by the International Competition of Circus Art (2003). Since 2005, the biography of the contest "The Princess of the Russian Circus" has begun, which takes place every two years and gathers in the Saratov arena a stellar composition of participants.

The merits of IG Kuzmin eventually forced him to leave the post of director of the circus. In the summer of 2016, Ivan Georgievich was appointed Minister of Culture of the Saratov region. And the new head will have a difficult task to continue and develop the Saratov circus traditions.

Instead of the epilogue: the return of the legend

Stopping the look at the circus poster, people involuntarily slow down the pace. On the facade is a bright announcement: "Since September 26 in the circus a new program!"

Nothing surprising, except for the name of the artist, who opens the circus season. Oleg Popov! Legendary "solar clown", once started the way to the heights of glory in the Saratov arena. Artist, who for more than a quarter of a century lived in Germany and did not go to the arenas of Russian circuses. Idol of millions of Soviet boys, who returned to their homeland of their first success, to get acquainted with the new generation of circus lovers.

Today in Saratov not children ask adults to take them to the circus, and grandmothers and grandfathers introduce grandchildren to their youth. The guest book on each page saves rapturous thanks and feedback. Circus named after the brothers Nikitin (Russia, Saratov) continues to amaze fans of their art. Perhaps next to the master today a new star lights up, which will return to the Saratov arena after half a century.