PARIS | It's been 25 years since audiences here fell in love with the poetry of Slava's snow show. And to say that the feeling is mutual would be practically an understatement. “Quebec is one of my favorite places to present this show,” admits Vanya Polunin, who is expected in the city with his troupe in the coming days.
“Every audience is different. But in Quebec people have a great culture, they are used to attending different shows, both theater and comedy shows. The audience pays attention to the smallest detail and rewards the artists' work on stage with applause and encouragement. And that makes all the difference for us,” the 27-year-old artist continues in an interview with Journal in Paris last November.
But what is Slava's snow show? Vanya Polunin herself struggles to describe the experience that awaits viewers in Montreal, Gatineau and then Quebec in the coming weeks. The tragicomedy that unfolds on stage revolves around clownish characters in the most classic sense of the word; They develop without dialogue, rather accompanied by musical melodies, sometimes traditional, sometimes modern.
“I'm often told that Slava's Snowshow is a bit like the marriage of the worlds of Charlie Chaplin and Federico Fellini. Personally, I feel that it is a bit like finding an old music box in a shop and discovering all the beauty and poetry of another time,” says the artist who plays Yellow, the main character (and symbolic figure).
A scene from Slava's snow show. Photo from Slava's Snowshow website.
Growing up on the boards
He can still describe it best, having grown up on the stages of Slava's Snowshow himself. He was only 7 years old when he joined the show troupes formerly led by his father Slava Polunin. Little by little, from year to year, Vanya Polunin learned the ropes and eventually took the reins.
Because at the age of 73, his father is no longer able to present his art anywhere in the world.
“He is doing well, his health is good. He travels whenever he can, but it is becoming more and more difficult for him to put on a full show,” reassures Vanya Polunin.
World Travel
So there's no need to ask him to continue the family tradition, be it in Canada, Turkey, Portugal or Italy – all destinations on his 2024 itinerary.
“I remember as a kid wanting to get into this show of my own accord. I saw all these adults having a lot of fun and I wanted to be part of the gang and have fun with them. I know my father hoped I would take over one day, and I also know I have very large sizes to fill. It's intimidating, but he himself encourages me to bring my color to the show and the character,” says Vanya Polunin.
- Slava's Snowshow tour will stop at the Théâtre St-Denis in Montreal from January 26th to 28th and February 6th to 11th, at the Salle Odyssée in Gatineau from February 1st to 4th and from February 14th at Salle Albert Rousseau in Quebec. until February 18th.