Published: 24 September, 2007, 06:23
Edited: 24 September, 2007, 06:23
Moscow's biggest circus is opening its new season. More than a hundred artists are taking part in what is billed as a 'Dreamlike Journey around the World'.
The main idea behind the show is travelling in dreams. Artists say the magic of the circus is not just stunning acrobatic feats, it is also in the beauty of the performance.
It takes years of training to make the magic possible. Most of the circus artists fell in love with the ring in their early childhood and, as they say, once you step in to the ring, you will never leave it.
Vlada is just 21-years-old and like many of her colleagues she grew up in the ring because her parents spent more time there than at home. Her piece is one of the most impressive in the programme.
Vlada's father Oleg is preparing for their joint piece to be shown at the upcoming premiere.
“It is very hard. For the last two days I had only a short four-hour-sleep. Every premiere is a challenge. This time we are doing a very dangerous piece together and it is a double responsibility when your stage partner is your own daughter,” commented Oleg Ananyev.
Danger is something that Vlada sees as part of her job and she smiles all the way when telling a blood-chilling story of one of her downfalls.
“It was very scary. I was getting ready for my acrobatic feat on the ball hanging right under the dome. And then all of a sudden the ball fell down. And I was there, shouting all the way through. Then somewhere in the middle of the circus the ball stopped. The emergency brakes worked and I stayed alive,” she said.