City of Kostroma. The circus is where tigers become kittens

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Kostroma Regional Circus began its history over 130 years ago.

The circus did not have an exact address for a long time, this is due to the difficult situations that employees of the entertainment institution found themselves in due to lack of space for performances.

History of migrations

At the beginning of its activity, the circus was represented by a troupe of farce masters. Kostroma audience was lucky to see their performance at the end of the 19th century. It can be assumed that the shows were held in tents, since the personal building for performances appeared much later. Temporary shelters, called big top circuses, did not suit the artists of the city of Kostroma.

The circus on Lenin Street was built in 1884 and was received well by the actors. But it had to be taken apart. The building began to collapse, so it became unsuitable for performances. Construction began on Susaninskaya Street: for unknown reasons, the building was not completed.

At the beginning of the 20th century (1928), circus performers found their own house at the intersection of Tekstilshchikov and Komsomolskaya streets in the city of Kostroma. The circus, due to its design and material, lasted only 42 years. The house burned down in 1970.

Remembering the "Old Circus" …

Representatives of the older and middle generations to the question: "What associations do you have with the old city?" - they answer in monosyllables: “Kostroma? Circus!”.

The program included not only standard numbers with animals, clowns, but also performances on ice. This is probably why the residents have such associations: for them, the circus was almost the only place where they could relax and laugh a lot.

Unfortunately, there are no records left of performances taking place in the very first buildings. Only the memories connected with the wooden frame, backfilled "Old Circus" have come down to us. The names of brilliant masters of the arena are inscribed in its history: lion tamer Irina Bugrimova, artists Durov, clowns Vladimir Eizhen, Oleg Popov, Pencil and others.

An interesting fact is that Kostroma became the source of many performances (for example, "Yaks and Shepherd Dogs" by Vitaly Tikhonov, "Illusionary Revue" by Zinaida Tarasova)

Fairy tale in Kostroma

Until the spring of 1984, artists performed only in the summer, in large tents. On the 100th anniversary of the first performance for artists and spectators, a new beautiful circus opened its doors, which still exists.

The round arena rose up on Peace Square and brought a note of grace to the wooden (at that time) city. Thanks to him, Kostroma has been transformed.

The circus is distinguished by aristocracy and lightness of architecture. It concisely combines materials such as brick, marble and velvet.

He is not pleasantnot only by the warmth radiated by the actors, but also by the interior decoration. In the bright glazed foyer, you can meet the participants of the performance, trained circus animals and sellers with souvenirs. One, but quite roomy auditorium for 1625 seats is equipped with soft, comfortable chairs, flowing over a small but roomy arena.

Changing people's morals: changes in newspaper articles

The circus shone not only from the pages of periodicals, but also from postage stamps and envelopes.

In almost every Kostroma newspaper in the first years after the opening, architecture, performances and even toilets were praised. However, after six years, interest disappeared, and soon the mercy of journalists changed to blasphemy.

Editions rained from their pages frightening statements about the deplorable state of the institution. They wrote that the circus (Kostroma) is on the verge of destruction, that it needs a major overhaul, for which, unfortunately, material resources are sorely lacking. Cheap tickets, originally sold at the box office, were replaced by unreasonably expensive ones. The latrines, made in the anti-vandal style, could not withstand the influx of Kostroma townsfolk.

In 2007, the circus was closed… Fortunately for Kostroma residents and guests of the city, it was closed only for reconstruction.

In 2010 the leadership changed. The new director came to grips with the building. The foyer was glazed again, the leaking roof was covered, and the shabby walls were painted and corrected.

Long live the circus

The circus came to life. together in itthe city came to life. Information boards located on the streets of the city began to shout about the upcoming performances.

Now the actors representing such well-known programs as:

• "Django" is a bright exciting show with many enchanting numbers.
• "Show of water, fire and light" - a program that succinctly combines modern technology and the gifts of nature (light, water and sound).
• "The Triumph of the 21st Century" - a performance by Zapashny (junior), which demonstrated the ability of a person to turn wild tigers into cute kittens playing with mirror balls.

The arena is actively used not only for circus performances, but also for concerts of pop stars. The group “Hands Up”, Elena Vaenga and Verka Serdyuchka performed here repeatedly.

Now the Kostroma circus lives a full life: it hosts star guests and large crowds of fans of circus art.

Where exactly is the circus in the city of Kostroma now? Its address is as follows: Mira Avenue, house 26.