Tradition-rich Stars of Moscow State Circus stops at UNLV

Friday, June 3, 2005 | 8:21 a.m.

Forget the dancing bears, decorated elephants or cats flying through rings of fire. The Stars of the Moscow State Circus rely on acrobats, clowns, dancers, aerialists and tumblers to put on a show.

This weekend it rolls into Las Vegas for two days of performances at UNLV's Cox Pavilion. With no animals, just "people entertaining people," the company calls itself the circus of the future.

Set in a traditional European-style, one-ring circus format, the fast-paced production presents two hours of second- and third-generation circus artists from Moscows circus families (many of whom are graduates from the Moscow Circus College) who perform athletic feats.

The artists, working to entertain and awe audiences, celebrate their Russian heritage by continuing the 200-year-old tradition.

This weekend's performers include the Akishin Troupe, a four-man high jump-rope act, a comedic trampoline performance by the artist Borsh and clown Valery Slemzin, who has toured with former Cirque du Soliel artists.

Performances are at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Cox Pavilion. Tickets are $10.50, $18, $25, $33. For more information, call 739-3267 or access the Web site www.unlvtickets.com.