A Glimpse of a Circus Artist and Actor

No time to read?
Get a summary

The Circassian Circus Talent

— “Circus!” Tell us about the character in the series.

He is cast as a circus performer, a joker with bold confidence who appears almost everywhere and helps solve problems. He believes he knows it all, and he draws energy from the circus life on Vernadsky Boulevard, where he has worked for eight years. He enjoys the art and welcomed the opportunity to participate in the series. Filming took place at the Great Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Boulevard and in Samara.

— In the project description, the character is simply labeled a dwarf. Does the character have a real name?

During rehearsals, when the director called for the dwarf to appear, it was clear that the term was uncomfortable for many on set. The actor asked if he could be referred to by a name, such as Tema, to ease communication. The producers agreed, and Tema stayed in the role.

— Were there scenes that posed unusual or difficult challenges?

Initially, travel to Samara created scheduling hurdles. The circus schedule required performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, making it hard to align with filming commitments. The stunt sequences were distinctive: a staged fight, a six-foot counter jump onto a sturdier performer, and a moment where the character seemed to threaten a friend, according to the script.

— Did the stunts involve actual jumping or were they done on safety lines?

He ran, gained altitude, and leaped onto a mat. The opponent reacted, clenching a fist and delivering a jaw strike as part of the scene.

On set, he rode a pony for the first time. The horse in Samara was stubborn and wouldn’t listen. He offered it treats, spoke softly, and tried to stay balanced. Sitting on the animal was uncomfortable, his legs felt numb, and his center of gravity proved tricky to manage.

— Tell us about the working relationship with the Zapashny brothers. How is their leadership on set? Do you spend time together outside work?

He jokes about a “short relationship” with the Zapashny brothers, noting they are excellent leaders who treat him well. He respects their artistry and enjoys being part of this business. Outside filming, they often spend time together playing KVN, organizing small gatherings at premieres, and staying connected at the circus. They frequently see each other and talk, sharing time away from work when possible. Occasionally, Edgard Valterovich and he play chess, though it has been a while since their last match.

— Who usually wins when they play chess?

He recalls a roughly even score, around two wins apiece, though memory may be imperfect.

— In cinema and theater, you often portray characters with similar traits; which role stands out as most unusual?

One memorable performance was in the circus play “One, Two, …, Four, Five,” where he played a hunchbacked, dirty servant who kept trying to help Count Dracula, portrayed by Edgard Walterovich. His favorite film role is Lieutenant Sokolov in House Arrest.

— You mentioned arriving late to the casting for House Arrest and initially not learning the script quickly. Why was that?

He admits not being fully prepared at first, perhaps due to prior commitments. Then Semyon Slepakov approached him backstage at a KVN event and urged him to come, and he realized it was a moment to join the project.

— Is there a dream role or a character you’d like to play someday?

He doesn’t chase a single dream; he carefully considers every offer and often forwards opportunities to his team since his schedule remains busy. He is part of a community known as Small Talk, where job opportunities and daily social matters are discussed. Yet a fresh idea has taken root: a project featuring little people with their own unique world and positions. Some would be presidents, others a bandit—joking, of course. Fairy tales and fantasy appeal to him. He imagines playing Satyr in the circus, bringing joy to children who are astonished by his appearance. On entering the lobby, youngsters snap photos, and mothers explain that he is a real person. His makeup, horned presence, and distinctive stride provoke awe in young fans.

The makeup for the game “One, Two, …, Four, Five” unsettled some children; one attempt with a plastic sword almost caused an accident, underscoring the intensity of live character work.

— You mentioned a large, connected community of little people. How did this network come together?

It is a broad network. Communication happens through a 60-member chat that includes professionals involved in media, projects like Fort Boyard, and various part-time roles in hospitality. He began in Moscow by greeting guests in a classic suit at a restaurant, a prelude to his circus career.

— Would you take on part-time work like that again?

It depends on the role. A brief greeting stint at a restaurant could work if a friend asks him to help. If two people are needed, he would stand alongside them. If his schedule is full, he would assign the task to a willing colleague who has a vacancy.

— Any roles you declined?

He declined a few rough, crass offers, including a project that treated a dwarf as a target. Ten years ago, he even turned down a porn role. His philosophy is simple: when he is older, he may consider trying everything, but today he prioritizes respectful, meaningful work.

— In House Arrest, a romantic thread with Olesya Sudzilovskaya featured a bed scene. How were those moments filmed, and did the script align with the vision?

The script underwent changes on set. The actor arrived to find that his lines with Olesya had shifted, so he adjusted his approach and adapted to new dialogue. Many takes involved cheesecake shots, and thanks to Olesya, the scenes flowed well, despite initial nerves.

— Is humor and irony an innate trait, or is it cultivated?

A blend of both. His early KVN days sharpened his wit and timing, and he enjoys joking about his height. The audience response fuels him, and he continues to develop that humor.

There is a recent incident with a kind cleaning woman at the circus. She jokingly asked if he loved her, and he responded with a playful line. The exchange led to a lighthearted misunderstanding, which he later realized was a joke about perception and difference—and he laughed with her, appreciating the human moment behind it.

— What concerns him most at times?

He sometimes feels emotional when loved ones suffer or when others are hurt. He is human, after all, and empathy comes first. If asked whether he worries more about himself or others, he admits he worries less about himself, describing himself as lazy yet content with life.

— How does he react when someone uses the term dwarf in reference to him?

If the person is a stranger, his reaction is restrained. Among friends, he can accept it if said in a friendly manner. He has a friend who playfully uses the term, and the humor is understood. The context and tone matter, shaping whether it becomes offense or a lighthearted joke.

— How does he handle comparisons to Passepartout?

People often compare him to Passepartout, and he handles it with calm humor. He even jokes online, correcting misidentified posts with good-natured humor.

— Do you feel KVN offered lasting value beyond the time spent playing?

KVN provided rich knowledge, new friendships, and a better understanding of how jokes land. The behind-the-scenes insight was exciting, and meeting people he had only seen on screens became a surprising bonus. His favorite teams include Raisy, Pyatigorsk Team, Ural dumplings, Unity, and other regional squads, all of which he cherishes for their humor and camaraderie.

— Is disability registration a practical necessity, and what advantages does it provide?

He registered as disabled during childhood. By adulthood, he qualified for lifetime third-group status, which affects pension and social benefits. He notes that his pension is modest but carries significance beyond its amount.

— Does he drive, and how does he prefer to travel?

He does not hold a driver’s license and relies on public transportation. If a license were useful, he would have pursued it, but his current lifestyle suits him. He also enjoys chess and poker, with the circus occupying his main focus.

— How would an ideal day unfold for him by evening?

He would prefer a day with no mishaps, ending in personal happiness. He feels content in the moment, appreciating the conversation and the chance to visit the circus again. He signs off with a warm invitation for guests to come experience the circus firsthand.

No time to read?
Get a summary
Previous Article

First Dates Reimagined: A Portrait of Truth, Tension, and Connection

Next Article

Tram Fires, Bus Fire Near Anapa, and Train Collision: Emergency Responses Across Russian Transit Networks