Introducing Slava Polunin
Praised as one of the most illustrious clowns in the world and famous for his yellow clown character, Assissai, Slava is an icon of Russian culture. Slava is more than an actor and director of theatre, he is also an artistic director and the producer of full-scale, epic size events and festivals, who is constantly gathering and uniting hundreds of artists, across disciplines, to jointly create massive, collective happenings and celebrations. From early 2013 until recently, Slava was also the artistic director of the oldest and biggest circus in Russia – The Bolshoi St-Petersburg Circus. Slava is still involved with this circus, but in a less demanding and more passive role.
Following his performance as part of Cirque du Soleil’s “Alegria”, Slava went on to create the Snowshow in the early ‘90s and since it opened more than 20 years ago, Snowshow has never stopped touring, playing to millions of people across the globe. “Our show is not only different year from year – in fact, it is different every time, because it allows lots of room for improvisation and the show remains full of life,” says Slava. The show and its creator have been presented with 20 of the world’s most prestigious theatrical awards, including the Lawrence Olivier, Drama Desk, Triumph and Golden Nose awards.
Slava’s team of Snowshow clowns are in South Africa to entertain, to amaze and to bring a sense of wonder, magic and joy as they transform the venue into a virtual playground. “I’ve just watched a show that isn’t about anything, and it’s absolutely brilliant. So brilliant that I don’t want to leave the theatre in case there’s the tiniest chance that they’ll perform it all over again,” says travel and leisure writer, Lesley Stones.
So what is the Snowshow all about? Slava says, “The main feeling that people share spontaneously is the joy of returning to a stage of childhood where a sense of playful freedom overcomes our fears and habits. This is what I have dedicated my life in achieving on a daily basis.” Slava further explains, “I don’t really like the word “clown”, today it’s associated with birthday parties and entertainment, the clown is a philosopher.”
Inspired by Monty Python, Fellini and Charlie Chaplin, Slava believes “expression without words is much more organic and natural than using words on stage; visual language is much richer, more personalised and elusive. The fact that we do not use spoken words in our performances is just one of the reasons why Snowshow has been touring the world so successfully.” This highly acclaimed international visual tragi-comedy clown masterpiece for adults and children over the age of eight years is easily understood by all round the world.
“Slava no longer performs in the show and he seldom travels with The Snowshow, so we feel privileged that this iconic entertainer is joining us to watch the opening performances in Cape Town,” says local promoter, Tony Feldman of Showtime Management.
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