Samara Circus to Stage Unique Girl and Elephant Friendship Show

The Samara Circus will host an elephant show by honored Russian artist Andrey Dementyev-Kornilov from January 24 to February 23, 2026. The performance, titled «The Girl and the Elephant», is based on a story by Alexander Kuprin.

The simple yet captivating story almost turns the performance into a detective tale. Young viewers keep hoping that, despite all obstacles, the Girl will recover and make it to the circus.

Behind the high paneled forgang door is the entire adult world. On this side is the child«s world with toys and rocking horses. The created coziness resonates in the circus space.

The artists don«t just perform their acts, but appear during the action as characters carrying meaning. The jugglers here are sarcastic and mischievous jokers, the tightrope walkers are selfless and loyal helpers, and the clown is a kind friend, advisor, and mentor.

The magical attraction of the flowing manes and tails of the beautiful animals, their spontaneity and freedom, are not limited by the trainer. The horses of the proud Akhal-Teke breed are a dream. And when the Girl feeds one of them a carrot, there is hardly a soul left in the audience who doesn«t want to do the same.

The dream of an elephant here is also varied, as if being tasted. At first, the elephant is a mechanical giant doll, and only in the finale is it the most real, giant, and alive.

The appearance of the elephant has a stunning effect. By this time, the Girl has almost recovered, waves to Papa standing above the forgang, who in her dreams has become the circus director. She stands up, supported by the applause of the audience, on one of the two balls rolling around the arena and begins to balance. Then the doors of the room swing open, and through the fog emerges that very dream — a huge, real elephant.

On the arena, the elephant Pretty performs without a trainer: she does the tricks herself and remembers the course of the performance. The graceful and synchronous rotation of three elephants — Pretty, Margo, and Audrey — is so mesmerizing that the audience forgets to breathe.

And what happened next, the audience will learn at the performance. All details can be found on the official website.