Families are in for a treat this week as the Moscow state circus comes to Inverness – and one of its stars of the show has already made a name for himself on the UK’s biggest talent show.
The circus takes place at the site beside the Inverness Caley Thistle football stadium and will showcase an array of jaw-dropping acts, from jugglers on barrels to wire-walkers and contortionists.
All 34 performers will incorporate their skills into a story called “seven wishes”, an adaption of the old Russian folklore story about a girl who was given a flower with seven petals and granted a wish for each.
In the Big Top adaption, a wizard gives the girl the flower but her selfish demands leave her unfulfilled when she is on her last petal. But she is then placed in a situation which suddenly makes her realise that it is better to look after those who are less fortunate.
Slapstick trampoline artist Vladimir Georgievskiy, who reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent last year with his comical act, will play the wizard “professor Wacko” in the story.
Despite receiving four “yeses” by the competition judges and a standing ovation, the Russian-born performer was unable to compete in the semi-final due to his commitment to the circus tour.
Yesterday Mr Georgievskiy, who has worked in circus performing since 1981, said: “There are a lot of great acts doing all kinds of stuff but we are also wanting to bring to the people and the children a good message about life through this story.
“I will be doing the routine on trampoline that I showed on Britain’s Got Talent. It’s had close to 10 million views on Youtube.”
Mr Georgievskiy, who now lives with his wife in Swansea, said that the cast have also been out exploring the area in their free time.
He added: “We went to Urquhart Castle yesterday (Tue) and had a great time. When we were in Elgin a few of us went fishing for brown trout on a loch. We’d all like to have more free time for walks in the forests and mountains, as it’s very beautiful here. The forests here remind me of those to the east of Moscow”.
The circus is here until Tuesday.