"The king of fools" Anatoly Durov: why officials were afraid of the founder of the famous circus dynasty

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Famous Russian trainer and clown Anatoly Durov, who became the founder of the circus dynasty, turned the idea of clowning and circus art upside down. He was the first circus performer to turn to political satire. Trained animals served him to create allegories - he staged fables and mini-plays on the topic of the day, and in these numbers the audience could easily recognize famous officials. The prospect of being publicly ridiculed did not seduce anyone, and the higher ranks were afraid to go to performances, during which there were many curiosities.

Anatoly Durov was born in 1864 in the family of a police officer. At the age of 5, he lost his mother, and soon, unable to cope with the loss, his father also passed away. Anatoly and his older brother were taken for upbringing by their godfather, a Moscow lawyer Zakharov. He intended to give them a good education and arranged for the First Cadet Corps, but the brothers did not take much of their studies. From childhood they were in love with the circus and dreamed of performing in the arena themselves.

The godfather was dissatisfied with such hobbies, because in those days the circus was considered a "low-standard" art. Then the Durov brothers ran away from home and got a job in a traveling circus, where they acted as acrobats, equilibrists and jugglers. Durov changed several troupes, where he performed with acrobatic numbers. Once he tried himself as a clown. The performance was so successful that after that the owner signed a one-year contract with him.

Durov tried to find his own style in clowning. Using animals in the numbers, he played out whole performances. The satirical numbers were especially popular. At the age of 20, the young man came to Moscow and entered the troupe of the German Schumann circus. The clown's performances caused surprise and Homeric laughter. He was surprised by the fact that he used a minimum of makeup and did not try to amuse him with his own falls and other traditional techniques. His skill was manifested not in training, but in witty monologues and remarks, and when the audience recognized famous officials in the four-legged artists, they rolled with laughter.

Soon Durov's numbers became the highlight of the program. If before him the real names of the clowns were not indicated on the posters, then his name was written in large letters - this became an effective bait for the public. He was called "the king of jesters", and he did not mind - the main thing is that he is not "the jester of kings." Durov began touring not only in Russia, but also abroad, and everywhere he was greeted with applause. He became the first Russian circus star on a global scale.

However, in Russia, the profession of a clown was still treated with disrespect, and circus art was considered "low". Repeatedly they tried to hurt and prick Durov. Once the son of the editor of the newspaper Moskovsky leaf asked the artist a question: "Is it true that in order to enjoy success in the circus arena, you must have a stupid face?" Durov replied that it was true. Then he paused and added: "And if I had such a physiognomy as yours, my success would be even better!"

Durov ridiculed bureaucracy, bribery, police arbitrariness, boldly criticized those in power, and the audience easily recognized famous officials in his numbers. Many of them were afraid to go to his performances, and there were jokes among the people based on his satirical plots. Because of such numbers, Durov was persona non grata in many cities, and in the newspapers he was persecuted: "This booby clown of bad taste is trying to act as an actor, coupletist, and even … an accuser."

Once, during a tour in Odessa, such an incident occurred. A local mayor by the name of Zeleny entered the circus buffet. Everyone stood up, and only Durov remained seated. The official exclaimed angrily: "Explain to this fool that I am Green!" To which the artist calmly replied: "When you mature, I will talk to you." And during the performance, which was also attended by the mayor, Durov brought a green-dyed hog to the arena and made all the animals bow to him, saying: "Bow all to him, because he is green!" After that, the artist was ordered to leave the city at 24 hours. He drove away … on a cart with a green hog harnessed to it.

In 1916, while on tour in Mariupol, Durov fell ill with typhoid fever and died suddenly. And his work was continued by Anatoly Durov Jr. Gorky wrote about the outstanding circus artist: "He was the magician who poured a drop into the poisoned source of sadness, just one drop of living water - laughter - and made it healing, giving strength and life." And Kuprin said: "This is the greatest Russian circus artist, who showed for the first time that a clown is not a jester, but an artist and satirist."

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