ARTIST - Moscow Nikulin Circus

The Old Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard is one of the oldest circuses in Russia. More than a hundred years ago, in 1880, this building on Tsvetnoy Boulevard was built for Albert Salamonsky's circus by merchant Danilov's office. They say Salamonsky framed the first ruble earned from a ticket and hung it in the box office. When the circus welcomed its first spectators on October 20, 1880, there were five rows of seats, boxes, a dress circle, second seats with unnumbered wooden benches, and a standing gallery. Later, the building was adapted and expanded several times, but throughout its long life, it served the circus. The most famous artists performed in its arena. Anatoly and Vladimir Durov, Vitaly Lazarenko, Williams Truzzi with his trained horses. The unsurpassed Sosins jumpers. First-class jockeys Vasily Sobolevsky and Herbert Cook. Graceful dancer Martha Sur. The Oceanos acrobats. The incomparable Koch sisters, equilibrists. The famous "trickster" Kio, who fascinated all boys. The circus was made famous by its renowned directors, and each was tireless in their search. Arnold Arnold brought clowns into Kio's mysterious attraction. Boris Shakhet made elegant dancers partner with huge Kornilov elephants. The circus's success was largely due to the work of Artistic Director Yu.S. Yursky, who became famous for his theatrical parade-prologues, Chief Director M.S. Mestechkin, Staging Director A.G. Arnold, and directors N.S. Baikalov and A.V. Asanov.