UNITED KINGDOM: AERIALIST EXTRAORDINAIRE VLADIMIR DECIDES TO MOVE TO BLACKPOOL IN ENGLAND

Record ID: 545613

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: AERIALIST EXTRAORDINAIRE VLADIMIR DECIDES TO MOVE TO BLACKPOOL IN ENGLAND
  • Date: 28th October 1998
  • Summary: BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (RECENT) (REUTERS) VLADIMIR SAYING "WE TRIED TO APPROACH WITH THE BALLET ATTITUDE AND IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN IN ONE WORD BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS A FANTASY AND THEY CAN SEE DIFFERENT STORIES. LET'S SAY SOMEBODY CAME FROM LONDON, FROM MUSICAL SHOWBIZ AND THEY SAID 'YOU JUST RECREATED A MUSICAL AND OTHER PEOPLE CAME FROM THE CIRCUS WORLD AND THE
  • Embargoed: 12th November 1998 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAC5T5YSQIUQ36B4ZIHB3AHNQUT
  • Story Text: For the last three years this "Flying Adonis" has been wowing audiences with his amazing act on the Las Vegas strip.
    But this summer, Vladimir, aerialist extraordinaire, decided to move to Blackpool - a northern seaside town in England - where he has thrilled British circus lovers as Lord of the Elements in his new show, "Eclipse".
    Vladimir, a Ukranian trapeze artist, made his first appearance in Britain in 1997 when he performed on a national television show.
    But he was soon to return to the country, thanks to the foresight of Amanda Thompson, owner of the Blackpool Pleasure Beach.She recruited Vladimir after seeing him perform for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas many years ago.
    "I met Vladimir some years ago probably ten years ago in Las Vegas and I wanted to use him then but I hadn't a show to use him in and so I was thinking of ways in which I could bring him to England and use him in a production and it just took that long to get the right format for him to work in,"
    Thompson said.
    Initially, Vladimir says, he was dubious about Thompson's interest in him but after seeing hard evidence of her commitment, Vladimir took her offer more seriously.
    "First of all, I didn't trust her because I met a lot of producers fat, old, rich and here she is, a young lady and she is talking sense but I don't know I didn't know about the Thompson family," Vladimir said.
    Thompson's new venture, Eclipse, was developed and co-produced with Vladimir.Inspired by Cirque du Soleil and the ballet, the pair spent many months working on the project which involved a lengthy tour around the world to persuade the best circus acts to join the show.
    Vladimir says that putting on the show was tough.When they started, not only did they have to train all the acts to dance as well as to perform their individual pieces, but the building in which the show was to be held, had to be designed and constructed.
    "Eclipse" opened in July this year, to rave reviews.The resorts spokeswoman says the women have been lining up to see Vladimir performing.A good thing too, as Vladimir is reported to be the highest paid circus earner, taking an astonishing 1.5 million pounds (sterling) for a season at Blackpool - a sum unconfirmed by Vladimir.
    Vladimir classes himself as an 'aerialist' not a trapeze artist, combining he says 'the grace of ballet with the dramatics of the trapeze to demonstrate the beautiful elements of the body'.It's an act which requires a punishing training schedule to keep his body in top shape.
    He says he first began working on this style of trapeze many years ago.
    Brought up by his mother in the Ukraine, Vladimir began his working life as a welder, miner and military guard, before quitting to join a circus in Kiev.He fell in love with circus acts in the air and began developing his own style, taking 'little bits and pieces from his favourite acts'.
    After three or so years of developing his more elegant and dangerous extension of trapeze, he was eventually spotted by Cirque du Soleil as they embarked on a massive recruitment drive for their company.It led him to Montreal in Canada and eventually to the United States, where he became a star.
    Although many are queuing up to see Vladimir's breathtaking performance, audiences won't be able to miss his minimalist costumes, which he designs and sometimes makes himself.
    He started sewing in his days with the circus in Kiev, when he had to earn extra money to pay for living expenses.
    Today, although he isn't short of cash the star still likes to have input when choosing the designs.
    "It's no big deal because it's a very little costume but it has to have a certain appeal.I don't use like circus people use, jewellery and flashing fabric, it's thick saddle leather and it's sewn, it's strong, it's forever," he says.
    Vladimir is expected to appear in "Eclipse" until January 1999.After that he and Amanda hope to take the show on the road.
    But after achieving so much, is the man satisfied? "You know creative people, I consider myself creative, so they are never satisfied.People can say nice things 'wow this is amazing and you got it' or whatever, but you're always looking for improvement, there is no limitations," he says.
    Thompson followed her ancestors into the family business (Blackpool Pleasure Beach) 16 years ago after leaving university.She has since produced over 20 shows worldwide.
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