Funeral pending for ‘Mystere’ performer killed in car crash

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999 | 10:23 a.m.

Arrangements are still pending for Konstantin Zaiats, the captain of the aerial high bar team for "Mystere," who died Monday from injuries he received in a car accident.

Hites Funeral Home in Henderson is handling arrangements for Zaiats, who will be buried in Russia.

Zaiats, 30, was one of 72 cast members performing in the Cirque du Soleil production at Treasure Island.

"The Cirque du Soleil family is deeply saddened by these events and our thoughts are with his family," said Lance Taylor, spokesman for Cirque du Soleil.

The show does not perform Mondays and Tuesdays. Cirque du Soleil's Tuesday production of "O" was dedicated in Zaiats' memory, along with "Quidam," the show in Berlin, Taylor said.

Today's production of "Mystere" will also be dedicated in his memory.

Taylor added that the cast of "Mystere" is distraught and everyone is working together to comfort one another.

"He was part of the Cirque du Soleil family," Taylor said. "Right now our concern is his family, who are really having a hard time with this."

Zaiats was driving a sport utility vehicle east on Kyle Canyon Road about 6:30 p.m. Monday after spending the afternoon at Mount Charleston with his wife, Irina Sorokina, his 2-year-old son and another "Mystere" artist.

The vehicle left the road, and Zaiats unsuccessfully tried to correct it, causing the vehicle to roll, police said.

Zaiats, the only one not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle. He died that evening at University Medical Center. The passengers received minor injuries.

Zaiats was born July 16, 1969, in Krasnodar, Russia, and began training in gymnastics at age 7. At the 1985 USSR People Games, Zaiats was awarded two gold medals and one bronze medal.

He came to Las Vegas in May 1995 to be a member of "Mystere's" aerial high bar act. He was recently named captain of the team. His wife performs in the bungee and high bar acts.

"Mystere" is a combination of circus acts, street performances and acrobatics choreographed to music. The production was created specifically for Las Vegas and is Cirque du Soleil's first production outside the circus tent.

The show features acrobats, comedians, actors, singers, dancers and musicians from different countries.

"Konstantin was reliable and responsible, and this was reflected in his being elected captain of the aerial high bar team," said Pavel Brun, the show's artistic director. "He was sparkling, always willing to learn more. He was one of those people who truly represented the spirit of Cirque du Soleil. He will be missed."