Slava's Snowshow Explodes at UCLA

As ambient sounds of faraway whistling trains and occasional waves of stage smoke filled the expansive Royce Hall, a childlike sense of anticipation overcame the audience as they awaited an evening of whimsy and spectacle while partaking in confetti-snowball fights before the lights dimmed.

Slava's Snowshow, the off-Broadway smash-hit, blew into Los Angeles December 13 as part of UCLA Live's continuing series of cultural entertainment, and by the looks on the faces of children and adults alike, the evening was nothing short of fanciful euphoria.

Olivier Award-winner Slava Polunin has created a show bursting with old-world sophistication and sprinkled with vaudevillian flair, which can only be compared to the various Cirque du Soleil shows now scattered across Las Vegas, of which Polunin toured with their production of Alegria.

Polunin's slow-moving demeanor accentuates his over-the-top antics in an amusing fashion, many times reminding of a jaunty saunter on the moon as he shuffles around the stage.  But do not let his bewildered expression fool you, as Slava's cohort of clowns, who most resemble a work of Salvador Dali, a prone to clown around with the audience, often taking a few loose valuables, all in good fun of course.

A spectacle to be seen, Slava's Snowshow, which is now in its third year off-Broadway in New York, succeeds in engaging an all-age audience, and often stirs up the festive atmosphere further by asking everyone to join in on the fantasy.  Creeping from the stage, a giant spider-web of sorts makes its way around the theatre in the hands of the spectators, being passed overhead and down the aisles.  Intermission is also a time not to be missed, as more fun ensues while oblivious theatergoers are off resting up before the second onslaught of delight.

In one ingenious vignette, Polunin discovers a way to caress himself in the guise of a coat rack, and as simple as it might seem, his lust for entertaining bleeds through in even the simplest of illusions.  His energy is fully displayed during a moment recalling Roberto Benigni's Oscar acceptance, as Polunin makes his way through the front rows across the backs of the unsuspecting audience.  

The extreme visual nature of Slava's Snowshow is an accomplishment in of itself, as designer Victor Plotkinov and director Victor Kramer have created a dreamlike palate and mood, all of which comes to an explosive finale in an awe-inspiring snowstorm blown throughout the theatre.  The evening is produced by David J. Foster and Ross Mollison, by arrangement with Polunin and Gwenael Allen.  

Truly an event not to be missed, Slava's Snowshow runs through January 7, 2007 at UCLA's Royce Hall.  For tickets, visit www.UCLALive.org or call 310-825-2101.  Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster.

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