STAGE REVIEW : A Superior Moscow Circus

The Moscow Circus explodes into its one big ring at the Forum in Inglewood like no other circus in the world.

Every act is superior, from the stunning Dania Kaseyeva, who starts with one Hula-Hoop and works her way up to 50, to the incredible speed of jugglers Pilipovich and Miagkostupov. Even the clowns are more technical than slapstick, including the intricate machinations of the “musical” Shakhnin, a duo that subtly mangles melodies from East and West, saving its biggest surprise for the end.

The Don Cossack trick horsemen of Dyusembaev thunder about the ring on magnificent stallions looking as though they’re doing it just for the hell of it, even the death-defying spins under the horses. The charm of the Zolkins--mother, father, daughter--and their family of bears is the amusement the bears themselves seem to find in their efforts. These and others are all top acts, but still only the meat and potatoes of the show.

The desserts are above the ground, flying and leaping, spinning and glimmering in the flowing lights that fill the Forum.

The Moscow boasts one of the world’s most electrifying teeterboard acts, the Chernievski, climaxing with the acrobats being catapulted from their boards, both feet on one stilt, and managing to land without a wiggle or a quiver. The Abakharov is the featured tightrope act, and the artistry of their work takes them far beyond most others in their specialty.

Even these superior performers, though, have to take a back seat to the acknowledged stars of this edition of the Moscow Circus. They are The Flying Cranes, aerialists who claim to be one of only two groups to have achieved the quadruple somersault. Even if they eventually achieve their dream of the quintuple somersault, the feat will have to go hand in hand with the beauty of their presentation. Part aerial ballet, their act is mesmerizing in its breathtaking splendor. If you go to no other circus this year, grab the kids and rush to the Moscow.

The Moscow Circus, Great Western Forum, 3900 W. Manchester, Inglewood: today, 11, 3:30 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, 1 & 6 p.m. (213) 673-1300 or (213) 480-3232. At San Diego Sports Arena: Wednesday-Thursday 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 1:30 & 7:30 p.m.; next Saturday, noon, 4 & 8 p.m.; March 17, 2 & 6 p.m. (619) 224-4176 or (619) 565-9947. Running time: 2 hours.