You'll laugh, but Russia doesn't have enough clowns.
Experts say demand for clowns has fallen eightfold in four years. Classic clowning is on the brink of extinction.
"Clowns are no longer a rarity or a major source of entertainment. Just a few decades ago, the circus was a vibrant event, but today, children see hundreds of characters every day in cartoons, video games, YouTube, TikTok, and virtual worlds," the psychologist explained Rodion Chepelev.
Experts have been named two main reasons: geopolitical and generational.
After the war in Ukraine began, Russian clowns were unable to participate in major international festivals, which had attracted interest in the profession and served as a platform for exchanging experiences, thereby helping to expand their repertoire.
Even modern children prefer animators who portray familiar cartoon and internet characters, while clowns frighten them.
At the same time, People's Artist of the RSFSR Anatoly Marchevsky I am sure that it is possible to restore the popularity of the profession, but a clown must be a strong professional, a “special commodity.”
"It's desirable for a clown to master multiple genres, because circus is a body language, so it's important for a clown to be diverse. You might play the piano, jump, or juggle. The more genres you master, the more expressive you are, and the more engaging you are to the audience."“- Marchevsky is confident.
He now teaches at the Moscow Institute of Theatre Arts and hopes to raise a new generation of clowns.
However, the according to Experienced circus performers and good clowns have always been in short supply. In Soviet times, true stars of the arena were few, and the public knew them by sight.
Which clowns did you love as a child? Perhaps you know the names of some talented modern performers? Share them with us in the comments.
In the photo: Oleg Popov
