Yuri Nikulin

MOONSHINERS

A a Soviet short Comedy:

Samogonshchiki (Moonshiners) (1961)

Made in the 1960's this film starred one of Russia's most loved clowns Yuri Nikiulin. 

Nikulin and his co-stars play a trio of classic comedy characters:

Balbes (Booby) 

Played by Yuri Nikulin

Bivaly (Crafty)

Played By: Yevgeny Morgunov

Trus (Coward) 

Played By: Georgi Vitsin

Watch the three in action in their previous film:

Pyos Barbos I Neobychnyi Cross (Dog Barbos and Unusual Race) (1960)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnzS-HhyhyA

MIKHAIL USOV

Mischievous old clown.

Micha Usov a Ukrainian clown.

I came across some videos of Usovs act about 3 years ago and was really inspired by how simple and resourceful his comedy was.

making music with pots and pans and juggling with plastic bags.

The ideas were simple but his skill was captivating.

Obviously someone else thought so too, because I saw him at the Roya Albert Hall in February performing in Cirque du Soleil's 'TOTEM'