Slava Polunin Headshot

Slava Polunin

Birth Place: Novosil, Oryol Oblast, RUSSIA

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Slava Polunin BIO

Slava Polunin is a Russian performance artist, clown, and director who is best known for his creation of the theatrical production, Slava's Snowshow. Born in 1950 in Novosibirsk, Polunin grew up in a family of circus performers and began his career as a clown at the age of 18. He later attended the Leningrad State Institute of Theatre, Music, and Cinematography, where he studied pantomime and clowning.
Polunin's early career was spent touring with various circuses and theater companies throughout Russia and Europe. In 1981, he founded the Litsedei Theatre Company in Saint Petersburg, which became known for its innovative and experimental performances. It was during this time that Polunin began to develop his signature style of clowning, which blended traditional circus clowning with elements of mime, physical theater, and surrealism.
In 1993, Polunin created Slava's Snowshow, a theatrical production that has since become one of the most popular and acclaimed shows in the world. The show, which features a cast of clowns and performers dressed in oversized costumes, is set in a winter wonderland and features a series of vignettes and sketches that explore themes of loneliness, friendship, and the human condition. Slava's Snowshow has been performed in over 80 countries and has won numerous awards, including an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment in 1998.
In addition to his work with Slava's Snowshow, Polunin has also directed and performed in a number of other productions throughout his career. He has collaborated with a variety of artists and companies, including Cirque du Soleil, the Moscow Circus, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has also appeared in a number of films and television shows, including the 1998 film Fool's Paradise and the 2012 film Snow Queen.
Despite his success as a performer and director, Polunin remains committed to the art of clowning and the importance of live performance. He has spoken out against the use of technology in theater and has advocated for the preservation of traditional clowning techniques. In 2015, he founded the International School of Slava's Snowshow, a training program for clowns and performers that emphasizes physicality, improvisation, and ensemble work.
Polunin's most recent work includes a revival of Slava's Snowshow, which premiered in Paris in 2019 and has since toured throughout Europe and Asia. The production has been updated with new technology and effects, but still retains the signature style and themes that have made it a beloved classic. Polunin continues to inspire audiences and performers around the world with his unique vision and dedication to the art of clowning.

Slava Polunin Photos

Slava Polunin STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2019
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2008
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Performer

Slava Polunin Productions

 
[Broadway, 2019]
Creator
Director
Scenography
Costume Designer
Special Effects
Sound Designer
 
[West End, 2017]
Staging
Director
Scenography
Costume Designer
Special Effects
Sound Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director

Writing

Playwright
Creator

Slava Polunin Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 1998 - Best Entertainment

Slava PoluninSlava's Snowshow

Slava Polunin Videos

Slava Polunin News


SLAVA'S SNOW SHOW Comes to Zorlu PSM in 2024


30 yılı aşkın süredir 12.000’den fazla performans ile 10 milyon seyirciye ulaşan ve her saniyesinde sihrin ön planda olduğu bir dünyanın kapılarını aralayacağınız Slava’s Snow Show, yoğun talep üzerine 28 Şubat – 3 Mart tarihlerinde yeniden İstanbul’a geliyor!

Planet Ant Presents FOOL SCHOOL CLOWN CABARET


Planet Ant Presents, Fool School Clown Cabaret on February 3, 2023 at 8 pm at the Ant Hall. This one-hour cabaret will feature the work of Fool School clown students and their instructor, Rose Carver.

10th Theatre Olympics to Feature 550 Performances in 70 Venues in Hungary


From Easter to Midsummer’s night, Budapest and Hungary will become a celebratory meeting point for theatrical world. 200 companies from 35 countries will come to Hungary between 1st April and 1st July 2023 for the 10th International Theatre Olympics.

SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW Will Return to Australia For a Limited Season in December


The internationally-acclaimed and universally loved Slava's Snowshow will return to Australia from December 2022 onwards for a limited season.

EDINBURGH 2022: THE ANNIVERSARY Q&A


BWW catches up with writers and performers Clare Bartholomew and Daniel Tobias to chat about bringing The Anniversary to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

EDINBURGH 2022: Julia Masli Q&A


BWW chats to Julia Masli about bringing CHOOSH! to the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Theater Stories: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, MRS. DOUBTFIRE & More About the Stephen Sondheim Theatre!


Today's Theater Stories features the Stephen Sondheim Theatre! Learn about the theatre's longest-running show, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, the show currently inhabiting the theatre, Mrs. Doubtfire, and more!

SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW to Become Available to Stream Next Week


Slava’s Snowshow is about to become available on streaming for the first time ever. BroadwayHD has secured worldwide exclusive streaming rights and will be bringing the show to viewers in the U.S. and globally on February 8. 

LE GRAND VOYAGE to Premiere In NYC


Premiering at the end of February, Le Grand Voyage is a joint work of a New York based team of actors gathered to explore and develop a show in the genre of theatrical clown. This new experimental piece tells the story of a family that goes in search of adventures in a foreign country. What awaits them is predictably strange and at the same time, surprisingly familiar. In the language of theatrical clown, actors tell the story of the hustles and struggles we go through when faced with the new and the unknown.

SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW Will Conclude Broadway Run Today


The Olivier Award-winning, international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW concludes it limited Broadway run today, January 5, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, following and 3 previews and 63 regular performances.

BWW Review: Entrancingly Funny Russian Clown Piece SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW Returns To Broadway


While there are many artistically pleasing moments to be savored on stage as the entrancingly funny Russian clown piece SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW returns to Broadway for a limited run through the holiday season, you can also have a heck of a good time if you just like having things thrown at you, dropped on you, sprayed at you or bouncing off of you.

Photo Coverage: SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW Celebrates Opening Night


The Olivier Award-winning, international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW returns to Broadway for a limited holiday engagement at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd St., NYC) through January 5, 2020.

TV: Clownin' Around with Slava Polunin of SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW on Broadway!


The Olivier Award-winning, international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW returns to Broadway for a limited holiday engagement at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd St., NYC) through January 5, 2020. The official opening night is tonight, November 13, 2019.

Photo Coverage: Get a Sneak Peek of SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW on Broadway


The Olivier Award-winning, international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW returns to Broadway for a limited holiday engagement at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd St., NYC) from November 11, 2019 through January 5, 2020. The official opening night is tonight, November 13, 2019.

Photo Flash: Slava Polunin Gets Ready to Bring SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW to Broadway


World-renowned clown Slava Polunin arrived in New York City on Wednesday and made it snow at Sardi's Restaurant, ahead of the Broadway return of his Tony-nominated, Olivier Award-winning international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW.

Meet the Cast of SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW-Now in Previews on Broadway!


Slava's Snowshow is officially in previews on Broadway! Returning to the New York stage for the first time in over a decade to delight a whole new generation of theatergoers, the singular troupe of SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW brings its spellbinding and romantically wistful theatrical adventure back stateside for the holiday season.

Up on the Marquee: SLAVA's SNOWSHOW Comes to Broadway


The Olivier Award-winning, international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW returns to Broadway this winter for a limited holiday engagement at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd St., NYC) from November 11, 2019 through January 5, 2020 with an official opening night of November 13, 2019.

Mobile Rush Policy Has Been Announced For SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre


Producers David Carpenter, John Arthur Pinckard, and Hunter Arnold have announced that the Broadway return of the Tony-nominated, Olivier Award-winning international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW has partnered with TodayTix to offer $35 mobile rush tickets beginning at 9 AM EST each performance day. The rush will begin on Monday, November 11 for the first performance at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd St., NYC). Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis exclusively through the TodayTix app.

Cast Announced for SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW on Broadway


Casting has been announced for the Broadway return of the Tony-nominated, Olivier Award-winning international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW.

SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW Makes Broadway Return This Winter


The Olivier Award-winning, international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW will be returning to Broadway this winter for a limited holiday engagement at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre

Slava Polunin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Slava Polunin been in?

Slava Polunin has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Slava Polunin been in?

Slava Polunin has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Slava Polunin been nominated for?

Slava Polunin has been nominated for the Best Entertainment award at the Olivier Awards for "Slava's Snowshow."

What awards has Slava Polunin won?

Slava Polunin has won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment for Slava's Snowshow.

How many shows has Slava Polunin written?

Slava Polunin has written 1 shows including Slava's Snowshow (Playwright).

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