CIRCUS 1903 Kicks Off U.S. Tour in Los Angeles Tonight

Producers Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, and MagicSpace Entertainment have announced that Circus 1903 will make its United States debut for a limited engagement starting tonight, February 14th, 2017 at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles. From there the show will tour to major cities including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Denver and New York City.

The producers behind The Illusionists, the world's biggest selling magic show, have teamed up with the award winning puppeteers Significant Object (War Horse) to present a thrilling turn of the century circus spectacular.

Circus 1903 is a very unique show that takes aspects of the traditional circus but puts a fresh, innovative and truly unique spin on it. From how the tent goes up, to what goes on inside under the big top, the show is a modern look back at a true golden age of entertainment.

One of those new directions employed is using carefully constructed and realistic puppets in place of actual animals. Sensational puppetry brings elephants back to the center ring as never seen before, joining a huge cast of the most unique, amazing and dangerous circus acts from all four corners of the world - everything from contortionists and acrobats to musicians, knife throwers, high wire and much more!

"I've always been transfixed on the idea of the circus," said producer Simon Painter. "However I've always envisioned there was a way to bring the big top to life in a way that paid tribute to our animal friends without using them in the traditional way. With our show, the elephants aren't real, but thanks to the creative team at Significant Object, you'll think they are when they make their grand entrance."

The cast of Circus 1903 will feature David Williamson (The Ringmaster), Florian Blummel (The Cycling Cyclone), Anny Laplante & Andrei Kalesnikau (Les Incredibles), Francois Borie (The Great Gaston - Juggler Extraordinaire), Elena Gatilova (Lucky Moon), Ricardo & Alejandro Rossi (Hermanos Rossi), high-wire actThe Lopez Family (Los Lopez), Mikhail Sozonov (The Sensational Sozonov), Yevgeniy Dashkivskyy & Yefrem Bitkine (Duo Flash), Artur Ivankovich, Ilya Kotenyov & Petter Linsky (The Flying Fins), Alfonso Lopez Ramirez & Maria Lopez (The Perilous Perigos) and introducing Queenie and Baby Elephant.

Tickets for Circus 1903 will go on sale to the public on Monday November 14th beginning at 10:00am EST, at www.ticketmaster.com or through the show's official website www.Circus1903.com.

Watch a trailer for the show below!

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CIRCUS: 1903 CHARACTERS:

The Ringmaster, Willy Whipsnade (David Williamson) is the greatest laugh-maker ever seen. He conjures a rapid fire mix of ludicrous, laughable and humorous incidents to astonish, amuse and delight. No journey into the Golden Age of Circus would be complete without The Ringmaster, enlivened by mirth provoking comedy and magic surprises. The 'voice' of Circus 1903 and ultimate master of ceremonies, The Ringmaster's commanding presence and panache will whip the audience into a frenzy whilst introducing each act with a dramatic, hilarious, mystical and spell-binding, magical flair.

Originally from New York City

The Cycling Cyclone, Hans Becker (Florian Blummel) is the peerless prodigy of physical phenomena, master of balance and precision, The Cycling Cyclone is a wondrous and extreme acrobat on wheels. A marvelously magical, mid-air rider of the standard wheel--he flies, glides and circles on an infinitesimal track in a never-before-seen stunt that will leave you gasping for breath on the edge of your seat! A wizard of the wheel, he is a kinetic demon, demonstrating death-defying deeds and whirling in space at right angles on a perpendicular plane. The most amazing acrobat ever to balance on a bicycle.

Originally from Stuttgart

Les Incredibles (Anny Laplante & Andrei Kalesnikau) combine a magisterial skill of timing with unadulterated mutual trust. Audiences will observe the sheer beauty and magnificence of these masterly monarchs of the air. The cycle of high-flying somersaults defies gravity and belief!

Originally from Montreal

The Great Gaston - Juggler Extraordinaire (Francois Borie) turns a variety of turn-of-the-century props into a toss-and-catch waterfall exhibiting flawless control and startling accuracy of judgment. The Great Gaston defies the notion that "the hand is quicker than the eye" as his coordination of both gives animation to inanimate objects. Fast, furious and dexterously skilled in the ancient art of juggling, Gaston's delightful demonstration demands both physical and mental discipline and agility.

Originally from Paris

Lucky Moon (Elena Gatilova) brings the artistry and athletic prowess of the Lyric Hoop to life offering the audience a dramatic and impressive visual spectacle. A breathtaking act demonstrating remarkable strength and extreme flexibility, unparalleled by any other continent. Desperately dangerous displays of unrivaled aerial flight combined with beauty, yet punctuated by audacious feats of reckless rarity.

Originally from Odessa

Hermanos Rossi (Ricardo & Alejandro Rossi) demonstrate thrilling feats of foot juggling that defy the laws of physics and perform the most astounding mid-air somersaulting exploits ever witnessed. Using extreme skill of the hands and feet and executed with marvelous grace, ease and perfection, Hermanos Rossi perform the most extraordinary and intricate feats, on a raised platform. Absolute daring and split second timing are a feature of this awe-inspiring act, replete with sensational acrobatics where nothing seems difficult and there is no "impossible." The pair present their exhibition with skill, grace and a defiance of danger

Originally from Barcelona

Los Lopez (The Lopez Family) present the highest of high-class acts; the most thrilling, colossal high wire act ever performed. Danger-deriding! Death-defying! The veritable cap-sheaf of all hazardous exploits. The extreme and absolute limit of sensationalism reached beyond the tremendously terrible temerity and illimitable, inimitable intrepidity of the high wire, no man may go. Extraordinary feats of balance while walking on a strand of silver, high in the lofty dome of the big top where angels fear to tread. This is a most marvelous accomplishment and the greatest wire act ever presented, superior to anything of the kind ever witnessed before!

Originally from Guadalajara

The Sensational Sozonov (Mikhail Sozonov) excels at exploits of equilibrium acrobatics and eccentricities unmatched on terra firma. Clever and remarkable, the Rola Bola amazes and astounds all beholders, climaxing in an impossible 360 degree rotation teetering atop canes, cylinders and planks, totally eclipsing anything ever attempted.A remarkable display of physical skill and dexterity in an unequalled exhibition of adroit accomplishment

Originally from Moscow

Duo Flash (Yevgeniy Dashkivskyy & Yefrem Bitkine) presented the most novel and unique exhibition of acrobatic skill ever seen. A clever combination of comedy and acrobatics in which the circus ring and the hippodrome track are turned over to a pair of funny fellows whose antics and foolishness bring joy to children from eight to 80! Join the hilarious and rollicking feast of two mad-cap merrymakers.

Originally from Kiev

The Flying Fins (Artur Ivankovich, Ilya Kotenyov & Petter Linsky) are a trio of continental daredevil wonders who use a specifically engineered type of teeterboard to catapult themselves, untethered, to stratospheric heights for a crowd favorite performance. They use split second timing in a rare display of acrobatic excellence, demonstrating feats of fantastic difficulty, as conspicuous for their absolute originality as for the astonishing ease in which the presentation abounds.

Originally from Finland

The Perilous Perigos (Alfonso Lopez Ramirez & Maria Lopez) are Latin America's newest and greatest thriller! Death-defying and heart-pounding, The Knife-Thrower and brave assistant entertain with an act of daredevil skill and precision. A score of razor-edged steel knives hurled through space, outlining the figure of a beautiful girl strapped down to prevent avoidance of any errant blades. Truly a delightfully daring and delectable demonstration of skill and sureness. They execute exclusive feats and graceful skill and standalone unequaled in their field.

Originally from Mexico City

Queenie and Baby Elephant. Witness the colossal, prodigious frames of the noblest animal specimens that have ever lived! These living curiosities are introduced in a triumphant performance absolutely unparalleled in the history of animal training. The most magnificent, sublime and enchanting spectacle ever presented to mortal eyes, these elephants perform numerous difficult, clever and wonderful tricks, showing almost human intelligence and reason.

In addition to Painter the creative team for Circus 1903 includes executive producer Tim Lawson and director Neil Dorward.

Simon Painter, Creative Producer/Executive Producer, is a visionary creative producer and entrepreneur based in California. Originally from London, Simon started his career as a classical violinist but soon transitioned into producing and creating commercial theatre. During the last 15 years, Simon has been at the forefront of the live entertainment industry, having launched and managed major performance venues and conceived, created and produced acclaimed productions such as Adrenaline and Le Noir. The first show he produced, Le Grand Cirque, smashed box office records at the Sydney Opera House selling over 40,000 tickets in 10 days. The Illusionists franchise followed, becoming one of the biggest magic shows of all time, playing in over 75 cities in 15 countries. The show spawned two television specials, the first in 2013 filmed live at London's Hammersmith Apollo and broadcast on ITV and more recently a primetime special on NBC filmed at the famed Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The Illusionists 2.0, the stunning sequel to the original was presented in 2014, and The Illusionists: Turn of the Century then replicated the success of the previous incarnations in 2015, premiering throughout Australia. Painter's newest marquis endeavor, Circus 1903, is set to debut in Australia later this year.

Tim Lawson, Executive Producer - Australasian producing credits include Sweet Charity, Jolson, Buddy, Spirit of the Dance, Oh! What A Night, Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol, It's A Dad Thing!, Weary - The Life of Sir Edward Dunlop, Shout! The Musical and Brave Men Run In Our Family, Jekyll and Hyde starring Brad Little and The Rocky Horror Show starring Richard O'Brien as the Narrator, the Helpmann Award winning production of A Chorus Line through Australasia and at the London Palladium, Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and most recently the acclaimed new production of Fiddler on the Roof starring Anthony Warlow.

In partnership with Simon Painter, Le Grand Cirque, Aerial Dreams, Adrenaline, The Illusionists, The Illusionists 2.0 - The Next Generation of Magic, Illusionists 1903 - Turn of The Century, Le Noir - The Dark Side of Cirque, and their spectacular new family show, Circus 1903 - The Golden Age of Circus featuring elephants created by Significant Object (War Horse) premiering at the Sydney Opera House prior to a US tour. These original productions have played to packed theatres and arenas in well over 250 cities in 25 countries.

Upcoming musicals include a new UK and international tour of The Wedding Singer and Guys and Dolls starring Rebel Wilson.

MagicSpace Entertainment is headed by Lee D. Marshall, Joe Marsh, John Ballard, Steve Boulay and Bruce Granath and has been producing and presenting national tours, Broadway shows, concerts and museum exhibits worldwide for over 35 years. Consistently one of the top promoters in the world, MagicSpace Entertainment typically produces and presents more than 350 events worldwide per year. Recent Broadway credits include The Illusionists - Witness the Impossible (Broadway & West End), The Illusionists- Live On Broadway, Donny & Marie - A Broadway Christmas, American Idiot and RAIN - A Tribute To The Beatles On Broadway. National tour credits include The Illusionists - Live From Broadway, Lord of the Dance created by Michael Flatley, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage starring in Mythbusters - Unleashed, Alton Brown Live, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, Donny & Marie Christmas, RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles, The Magic of David Copperfield, Circus 1903 - The Golden Age of Circus, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line and national concert tours by Janet Jackson, Cher and Fleetwood Mac to name just a few. Touring museum exhibitions produced include Jurassic World: The Exhibition, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibition, Titanic: The Exhibition and Diana - A Celebration, St Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes exhibition. MagicSpace Entertainment has offices in Park City and Salt Lake City, UT. www.magicspace.net

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