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Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33418, 27 December 1973, Page 1

Stars of the Moscow Circus, which will open at Hagley Park on Tuesday, arrived in Christchurch yesterday. Above: Ludmilla Bellouseva, Tatania Ivanyshkina, Angela Mikituke, and Svetlana Resnikovi cool their feet in a hotel pool. Left: Sereserov Anatoly made this unusual entry into the customs hall at Christchurch Airport. However, a large crowd which gathered at the airport would have been disappointed over the arrival of the company.

Many had been led to believe that they might catch a glimpse of some of the acts which the company will perform under the “big top” at North Hagley Park from January 1 to 13. But the only sign that

the group of about 70 passengers was, in fact, the Russian company was the sight of an acrobat scampering down the stairs from the aircraft—on his hands.

The publicity director for the New Zealand section of the company’s four-month Australasian tour (Mr A. J. Goodliffe) said that the performers were travelweary. They left Moscow on Christmas Day and spent most of the next 24 hours in the air. They came via Vienna and Sydney.

But what would a circus be without animals? Russian bears, lions, tigers, cougars, panthers and leopards will be unloaded along with 20 tons of equipment from a ship at Lyttelton this morning to be brought to Christchurch. Horses, bands, marching girls and the circus company will parade through Christchurch streets on January 3. Special permission has been given by the City Council for the grand parade.