"My son is a better juggler than I was, but he will get better still," said Alex. "I always tell him he has to get better because he is finished as an artist if he stops im­proving. I am more severe on him than anyone. Some day he will be able to jug­gle 12 rings."

 

Gregor conceded that "Russians have a tendency to technical juggling." But, he says, as everywhere else, "technique doesn't interest the audience by itself. There needs to be a harmony between sport and art."

Besides himself, Popovitch said the top performing jugglers in Russia today are Evgani Bilauer and Sergei Ignatov, both of whom are in their mid-30's. He said, "Ignatov is a classical juggler, severe and further from the public. Bilauer is simpler and a little more eccentric. He tries to contact the audience more."

 

Though Ignatov formerly juggled 11 rings, he does 9 in performance now. Bilauer is a club specialist and can do seven in practice. These two stand above the many other good jugglers in Russia because they convey a personality and style of their own, Popovitch said. "They open the way for others. They are like planets while the other jugglers are satellites orbiting around them."

 

Popovitch works three to six months a year in Moscow with the circus there, and travels during the rest of the year to perform guest appearances with other Russian circuses.

 

He works 30 days straight, then has two weeks off before beginning another 30 day run. The day begins with an 8-9 a.m. workout, then he practices for another hour before the evening performance. He performs a total of about 250 times per year. The routine is grueling. "The myth of Syssiphus is analogous to professional juggling," Popovitch said. "It is very hard physically and mentally." He says most jugglers can only work 15 to 20 years before retirement. After 20 years with Russian circuses, artists are guaranteed a government pension, but they can continue performing for as long as they are able.

 

In addition to being a circus performer, Popovitch is a student at the Moscow theatrical institute with aspirations of becoming a circus director. He studies theatre, circus, painting and art in general.

Entertainers

 

Andrew Allen - Circus Gruss (Europe)

Andre - Circus Arena (Switz.)

Francis Brunn - Lido (Paris)

The Castors - Loew Hotel (Monte Carlo)

Michael Chirrick - "Best of Burlesque" (Naples, Fla.)

Gil Dova - Holiday Casino (Las Vegas) Natalie Enterline - Lido (Paris)

Fercos - 78 Cabaret (Paris)

Flying Karamazov Brothers - February 2 U. of Iowa; 4 U. of Akron, Oh.; 5 Columbus, Oh.; 6 U. ofWisc., Whitewater; 7 W. Mich. U., Kalamazoo; 8 Mt. Clemens, Mich.; 9 Toronl!J, Ont.; 10 Clarkson U., Potsdam, N.Y.; 12 Andover, Mass.; 13 New Haven, Conn.; 14 Burlington, Vt.; 15 New Bedford, Mass.; 16 U. of Maine, Orono; 18 Ponsmouth, N.H.; 19 St. Johnsbury, VI.; 20 Lakewood, N.J.; 21 Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; 22 Brooklyn, N.Y. 23 Bayside, N.Y.; 26 Lancaster, Pa.; 28 York, Pa.; March I Somerville, N.J.; 4 Princeton, N.J.; 6&7 Fairfax, Va.; 8 Wilkesboro, N.C.; 13 Valdosta, Ga.; 15 Tam­pa, Fla; 16 Daytona Beach, Fla.; 18 Clearwater, Fla.; 25 Levelland, Tex.; 26 San Antonio, Tex.

Dick Franco - March 14-30 Shrine Circus, Michigan State Fairgrounds, Detroit, Michigan with Koma Zury.

Nino Frediani - Hilton (Reno)

Frederico - Circus Alladdin (Netherlands) Anthony Gatto - through May 26, Las Vegas Hilton and Flamingo Hilton Hotels

Joel Heidtman - Weekends at Streamers (Columbus, OH.)

Benji Hill - John Strong Clowncapades (USA west coast)

Edward Jackman - Jan. 22 Pensacola Jr. Col., Fla.; 24 U. of W. Fla., Pensacola; 28 Miami-Dade Comm. Col.; 29 Broward Comm. Col., FI. Lauderdale; 30 Florida InCI. U., Miami; 31 U. of Miami; Feb. 3 Fla. Inst. of Tech, Melbourne; 4 U. of N. Fla., Jacksonville; 6 Francis Marion Col., Florence, S.C.; 7 USC/Spananburg; 8 Furman U., Greenville; 10 Davidson Col., N.C.; 11 Pfeiffer Col., Meisenheimer, N.C.; 12 UNC/Wilmington; 14 Sweetbriar Col. Va.; 20 Virginia Tech; 21 Roanoke Col.; 22 Mary Washington Col, Fredricksburg, Va.; 24 Randolph-Macon Col., Ashland, Va.; 25 Louisberg Cok, N. c.; 27 Gardner- Webb Col., Boiling Springs, N.C.; 28 NC School of Ans, Winston-Salem; March 3 Winthrop Col., Rock Hill, S.C.; 4 Erskine Col., Due West, S.C.; 5 Lander Col., Greenwood, S.C.

Kris Kremo - Stardust (Las Vegas)

Martin Lamberti - Theatre Salome (W. Germany) R.J. Lewis - Resorts International (Atlantic City)

Mark Nizer - Sheraton Bal Harbor (Miami)

Steve Russell - Jan. 25-March 9 at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. March 19-April 3 Cunard Cruise Lines.

Rejean St. Jules - Harrah's Hotel (Reno)

Jon Stetson - Ocean Cruise Lines Mar. II-Apr. 6 Tibor - Circus Arena (Switz.)

Valente & Valente - Moulin Rouge (Paris)

Robert York - Jan. 22-26 Funny's Com. Club, Wichita, Kan.; Feb. 5&6 Deja Vu Com. Club, Columbia, Mo.; March 6-8 Sheraton, Blacksburg, Va.; 12-15 Twofers Com. Club, Greensboro, N.C.; 18-23 Charlie Goodnights, Raleigh, N.C.; 24-30 Zanees Com. Club, Nashville, Tenn.; April 2-6 Laughing Stock, Lubbock, Tex.