0:00:02 > 0:00:05Every day of the week, 200 million children around the world
0:00:05 > 0:00:08go out to work.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Kids who work in circuses in Russia.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Kids who work on chocolate plantations in Africa.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19Kids who work in Bollywood.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22And kids who want to be Africa's next big football star.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Welcome to the world of Children At Work.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32I'm Zach, I'm 21 and I'm from London
0:00:32 > 0:00:35and for the next week I'm going to investigate
0:00:35 > 0:00:37the world of children who work in circuses.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41I'm in this crazy world where bears are driving cars.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47I'm going to live and work with one of Russia's busiest performing families.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51I'll find out how growing up in a circus
0:00:51 > 0:00:53affects kids who start training as toddlers
0:00:54 > 0:00:59I'll discover how they juggle life on tour with the demands of school
0:00:59 > 0:01:01and friendships at home.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05And I'll make by big top debut in front of almost 1,000 people.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13I've travelled almost 2,000 miles from home to Kharkov,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16the second largest city in Ukraine.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19I can't really identify what anything is.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Everything looks really industrial
0:01:21 > 0:01:26and I can't see any signs that I recognise.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30They use a different alphabet here, the Cyrillic alphabet.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35It's like I've stepped into a different world.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42I'm here to live inside one of the most iconic communities in the world -
0:01:42 > 0:01:44the circus.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49My mum used to be a clown in British touring circuses.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Even though she stopped performing when I was a year old,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55the circus was a big part of my life when I was growing up.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02I'm excited.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05I'm more excited than nervous.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09(DRIVER SPEAKS RUSSIAN)
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Er... Da.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16This is Kharkov's purpose-built circus
0:02:16 > 0:02:19and I'm sure those signs really do say circus.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23It's an unbelievable minus 22 degrees outside,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27so traditional tented circuses just wouldn't work in this weather.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31But that's not the only reason that Kharkov has a permanent circus.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Ukraine used to be part of the Soviet Union,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36a communist republic of 15 countries,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38ruled from Moscow, the capital of Russia.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42Its leader, Lenin, pronounced circus the people's art form
0:02:42 > 0:02:44because it appealed to every member of society.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47He was determined to give it the same cultural importance
0:02:47 > 0:02:50as opera, ballet and theatre.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991
0:02:55 > 0:02:58and Ukraine is now an independent country
0:02:58 > 0:03:02but buildings like this are still used across the old Soviet region.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- Oh, hello.- Hello.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- I'm Zach.- Artem.- Nice to meet you. - It's nice to meet you.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- This place is huge.- Yeah, it is.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16This is Artem. He's 15 and been performing in the circus since he was 2 years old.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23His family is in the middle of a three-month run here in Kharkov,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26almost 500 miles from their home in Moscow.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Some British circuses still use performing animals
0:03:37 > 0:03:39but popular opinion is against them in the UK.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42There's no such issue over here
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and this circus has performing horses, poodles,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47ferrets and even bears.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- It smells here.- Yeah, it does smell.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Be careful.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Is the only place or do they have places to run around?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08I've just seen where their horses are kept
0:04:08 > 0:04:13and the cages are so small and some of the animals are pacing
0:04:13 > 0:04:15and it's just... It's...
0:04:15 > 0:04:18They're obviously well treated, well groomed,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22and it's just... It's very different, it's very different.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25'Kharkov's circus is small by Russian standards.'
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Wow.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31There are around 15 acts and 20 stage crew
0:04:31 > 0:04:35and they put on four shows a week to almost 1,000 people.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44I've been told by the crew that I'm going to be helping you in your act.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Can you tell me what I'm going to be doing?
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Do you trust me? I wouldn't trust me to throw cups.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I'm worried about breaking you. Your head.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Oh!
0:05:02 > 0:05:06I guess we'll see how it goes later on in rehearsals.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08It sounds quite dangerous.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12But at least I'm not being asked to do that.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17Artem's dad Andrei is a clown and his mum Olga used to be an acrobat
0:05:17 > 0:05:20but now she trains and performs with the family's ferrets.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24When the poodles have finished rehearsing, it's our turn in the ring.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26And we're in rehearsals now.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29We're just waiting for...
0:05:30 > 0:05:35They've got a little sausage dog that kind of rounds up the ferrets
0:05:35 > 0:05:36like a sheepdog.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41It actually bites it. But just like on the back of the neck.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I'd love to be in an act with the ferrets.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47I think I look a bit like a ferret right now, so...
0:05:47 > 0:05:49(TALKS IN RUSSIAN)
0:05:49 > 0:05:53But before I'm shown the act, I'm rushed into the dressing room
0:05:53 > 0:05:54for a circus makeover.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56A little bit the same.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Check out my jacket.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02I've got hat hair.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06I like the yellow one but...
0:06:06 > 0:06:10- You clown.- Mm-hm? - You clown.- OK.- No problem.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12I'm going to be a clown.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19OK.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22I can't help but wonder why I'm the only one in costume.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Still, it's my first day and I'm too polite to ask.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Artem and his dad take me through the act
0:06:37 > 0:06:40that they normally perform together.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42I'll be taking his dad's place,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46throwing cups and saucers up to Artem on the top of his enormous unicycle.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49Bad throw. Sorry.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53'All he has to do is catch them and then flip them onto his head...'
0:06:53 > 0:06:55That's very good. That was good.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57'..with his foot.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59'Oh, and that's not all.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01'After he's built a tower of cups and saucers
0:07:01 > 0:07:03'he adds sugar and a teaspoon.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06'Simple, really.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08'He told me it took him a year to perfect this act.'
0:07:17 > 0:07:20I'm having enough trouble throwing the plates to you
0:07:20 > 0:07:25and you're on a three-high unicycle, balancing them on your head.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- It's pretty amazing, man. - Thank you.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- For first day, it's very good. - Good. That's good to hear.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36I won't cry myself to sleep tonight.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40I think that I was going to be, you know, like this.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- I think you were, a little bit. - No, no.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- It's OK.- Good.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49How do you find it, moving around all the time?
0:08:07 > 0:08:11Are you ever on shows where there are other younger people?
0:08:22 > 0:08:27When they're on tour, Artem and his family stay in a special circus hotel
0:08:27 > 0:08:28and I'll be staying here, too.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35When we get back from rehearsals,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37we joined by Artem's older brother, Andrei.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42This is my mum as a clown. Her name was Matilda Clutterbuck.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47SHE SPEAKS RUSSIAN
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Circus children have special permission to perform with their families
0:08:52 > 0:08:55as it's against Russian law to employ under-14s.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58So Artem and his brother started much younger.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08So strong for a six-year-old.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12And flexible.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18It might look extreme but it's considered essential
0:09:18 > 0:09:22for children to start training early if they're to succeed.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27They look really young. How young do you start training them?
0:09:27 > 0:09:29ANDREI SPEAKS
0:09:29 > 0:09:32There is a price to pay
0:09:32 > 0:09:36but Russian circus artists are considered some of the most highly skilled in the world.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Six year, two year.- Gosh.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44How do you get a child to be that disciplined?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47When I was that age, I was just picking my nose
0:09:47 > 0:09:49and running round eating worms.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01This makes the wonder about the pressure
0:10:01 > 0:10:04that Artem and Andrei were under to train.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21After the first rehearsal, I have a bit of time to reflect.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Seeing Artem today, it's made me wonder a little bit
0:10:26 > 0:10:30about the kind of reality of life,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33the life that he lives, in a hotel.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37It must be hard to not have anyone his own age around
0:10:37 > 0:10:42and just working constantly, 24-7, with his mum and dad.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47The idea of travelling around from city to city sounds really glamorous
0:10:47 > 0:10:55but in actuality, this room's pretty bare and depressing.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58It could feel quite lonely, I guess.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Children who grow up in the circus have to study on their own
0:11:02 > 0:11:04when they're on tour
0:11:04 > 0:11:06and return to their schools for exams.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Artem's school is almost 500 miles away in Moscow,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16so the family has to take an overnight train
0:11:16 > 0:11:19every time Artem has an exam.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24After 14 hours on the train and not the best night's sleep,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27we're just about to arrive in Moscow.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Artem's trips to school are a rare chance
0:12:12 > 0:12:15for the family to spend time at home in Moscow.
0:12:16 > 0:12:22It's a massive city, with a population of over 10 million people,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24almost twice as many people as Scotland
0:12:24 > 0:12:27crammed into area 72 times smaller.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Like the vast majority of Muscovites,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34the family live in one of these identikit tower blocks.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37They're part of the legacy of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin,
0:12:37 > 0:12:41whose communist government provided housing for every family.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Even modern housing developments in Moscow
0:12:45 > 0:12:47don't look too different to this.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Artem's school is just a few minutes walk from his front door.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59The majority of schools in Russia, like Artem's,
0:12:59 > 0:13:04take students from the age of five right through to 18
0:13:04 > 0:13:07but in some cases, they can leave at 15.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11At the end of general education,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14successful students are awarded a diploma.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17It's the most important qualification of their lives.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Without it, they can't get into university
0:13:19 > 0:13:21and often can't even get a job.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26If Artem ever leaves the circus, he will need his diploma
0:13:26 > 0:13:28but his dad told me the family will be happy
0:13:28 > 0:13:30with whatever grades he gets.
0:13:45 > 0:13:52All of these decisions that in Britain a 15-year-old would be starting to think about,
0:13:52 > 0:13:56what their career might be in the future, they've been made
0:13:56 > 0:13:57and you're doing it.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Do you feel limited by that?
0:14:33 > 0:14:36SPEAKING RUSSIAN
0:14:40 > 0:14:4411-year-old Dacha is also from a circus family.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Her parents perform in the same show as Artem
0:14:47 > 0:14:51but Dacha doesn't have to balance performing and studying
0:14:51 > 0:14:53because her parents won't let her on stage
0:14:53 > 0:14:55until she's finished school.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05When they're at home in Moscow, Dacha goes to a regular school
0:15:05 > 0:15:08but when they're on tour, she studies with her parents.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Do you feel different from other children your age?
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Is it your dream to be in the circus?
0:15:23 > 0:15:24- Da.- Yeah?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Have you ever thought about doing anything else?
0:15:36 > 0:15:39How would your parents feel, do you think, if you decided
0:15:39 > 0:15:41to be a sports journalist? Would they be happy?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Are you working on an act?
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- Maybe we could do an act together. - OK.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Dacha's family decided that she shouldn't work in the circus
0:16:05 > 0:16:08until she's finished school
0:16:08 > 0:16:13but when Artem and Andrei were her age, they were experienced performers.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15They were also earning a wage.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- Do you give some money to your parents?- Yeah, yeah.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- You're helping the family by working. - Yeah, yeah.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Yeah. I help the family, you know.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35They probably can't work without me, you know?
0:16:35 > 0:16:37BUMPING AND RATTLING
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- It's like a roller coaster. - Yeah, yeah.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43How do you think I did in rehearsal yesterday?
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I think it's not bad. We have good progress, you know?
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- I don't want your dad to be disappointed in me. - No, I don't think so.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Back at the circus, it's time for the first matinee of the week
0:17:03 > 0:17:06and the crowds are gathering.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12BELL RINGS
0:17:12 > 0:17:16I've still got a lot of work to do before I'm allowed in the ring,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19so I join the audience to see the family do their thing
0:17:19 > 0:17:21for the very first time.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25BAND PLAYS FANFARE AND MARCH
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Artem and his family work really hard.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Their acts make up about half of the show.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50His dad in on stage more than anyone else
0:17:50 > 0:17:54and the audience seem to really love his clown act.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59It's amazing. We're watching the show. We've seen three acts.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03I've seen Artem performing. He's amazing. He's a good little mover.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Andrei is just about to perform now with his wife.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19It's crazy seeing them all on stage because I've seen them rehearsing
0:18:19 > 0:18:21but they didn't perform.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Now they've got style and it's brilliant.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27They're all amazing. They're all amazing.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28Even the ferrets performed.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35I don't have to wait long until Artem's big act.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38ANNOUNCER: Artem Averyushkin!
0:18:40 > 0:18:44And his dad is making my job look like child's play.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48I should be taking notes. That's what I'm going to be doing.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Whoo!
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- Whoo!- Artem got a scream!
0:19:00 > 0:19:02APPLAUSE AND CHEERS
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- That was amazing. You were great.- Thank you.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- It was really good.- I feel the same.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13I was watching your dad with his dance moves. Should I try that?
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- You can try the moves you can feel. - Yeah.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- He dancing how he feel.- Mm-hm. - You have to dance how you feel.
0:19:22 > 0:19:28I'm in this crazy world where people are juggling on wires
0:19:28 > 0:19:33and doing handstands on bikes and bears are driving cars
0:19:33 > 0:19:35but I'm loving it.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37It's crazy listening to Artem
0:19:37 > 0:19:41but it's quite moving that he has this outlook on life
0:19:41 > 0:19:43that is just so beyond his years.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48I just wonder if children in the circus might miss out
0:19:48 > 0:19:52on a certain exploration and excitement of choosing their own path
0:19:52 > 0:19:55because it's kind of been chosen already for them.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58But at the same time they're talented people
0:19:58 > 0:20:00and all of these doors are open to them
0:20:00 > 0:20:04just because this path's been chosen for them already, so...
0:20:05 > 0:20:08The mind boggles.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12My big top debut is fast approaching
0:20:12 > 0:20:16and we've been rehearsing hard to get me ready for the show.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29It's mad. I'm being directed by someone I can't understand at all
0:20:29 > 0:20:32but at the same time, he's such an amazing teacher
0:20:32 > 0:20:35that I can understand his body and...
0:20:35 > 0:20:38It's crazy but I'm really excited.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42I'm doing things that I never get an opportunity to do otherwise.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45This was the best time. That's very good. OK?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Yeah!
0:20:47 > 0:20:50'But Artem spoke too soon.'
0:20:58 > 0:21:01So far, I've seen circus life from the point of view
0:21:01 > 0:21:03of people who choose to be there.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06But not everyone has had the same experience.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08I'm on my way to meet Albina,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12who was born into the circus and decided to leave when she was 20
0:21:12 > 0:21:14to start a family and become a photographer.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18What was it like, growing up in the circus as a young child?
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Why did you decide to leave the circus?
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Do you think there's pressure on young people
0:21:48 > 0:21:52to help their parents out with the family business?
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Do you miss the circus?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Albina chose a family over the circus.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28But Artem's parents don't think you need to choose.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30You can have both.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Back in their dressing room,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39I ask them how they manage to juggle circus life
0:22:39 > 0:22:41and family life.
0:23:03 > 0:23:04Would it have been difficult
0:23:04 > 0:23:09if your children had just decided not to be part of the circus?
0:24:05 > 0:24:09They seem to all be really well in tune as a family
0:24:09 > 0:24:13and know exactly what's going on with one another.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18They work and they live and they play and it's all together
0:24:18 > 0:24:20and it works really beautifully.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28The moment I've been waiting for is almost here.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32In less than one hour I'll be on stage in front of 1,000 people.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35I'm feeling scared.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39It's weird, the circus has a kind of quiet lull to it -
0:24:39 > 0:24:42it feels like the quiet before the storm.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Now I've got the look right,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11I'm sent out to test my clowning techniques on the audience.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19My first job is not to make the children cry.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27I just realised today that I've never practised
0:25:27 > 0:25:30with the music and my costume together,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33so I'm a bit nervous.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39But I've got no time for nerves.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Artem's dad has given me the huge honour of opening the show,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45so I've got to leg it onto stage.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57CROWD CHATTERING
0:26:01 > 0:26:04DRUM ROLL
0:26:05 > 0:26:09BAND PLAYS MARCH
0:26:09 > 0:26:13That was amazing! It was brilliant to hear the kids laugh at you
0:26:13 > 0:26:16and they recognise you from when you were out with the balloons
0:26:16 > 0:26:20and it was really, really good. I feel really pumped.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24After the ferrets, after the horses and after poodles,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26it's time for my big moment.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29DRUM ROLL
0:26:29 > 0:26:32APPLAUSE
0:26:41 > 0:26:43CHEERS
0:26:43 > 0:26:47And it all goes really well until I drop one of the cups.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51The audience doesn't seem to mind, though,
0:26:51 > 0:26:55so we all move on and everything else goes brilliantly.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04APPLAUSE
0:27:14 > 0:27:16TENSE HUSH
0:27:21 > 0:27:25OK, this was very good, very good.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28- He got the spoon first time as well. - Yeah.- It was really good.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- Just one dropped. - Yeah, the first one dropped.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33But it's OK, it's OK.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35SPEAKING RUSSIAN
0:27:35 > 0:27:36Wow!
0:27:37 > 0:27:39OK!
0:27:42 > 0:27:44OK?
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Bye-bye.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50It's been really great to see this strong family working together
0:27:50 > 0:27:53and I feel really privileged to have been included in that
0:27:53 > 0:27:56and they have such an amazing bond
0:27:56 > 0:28:01and I've seen how important the family is when you're in the circus
0:28:01 > 0:28:04and how important the circus is to this family.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08The circus isn't right for everyone.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11After all, that's why Albina chose to leave.
0:28:15 > 0:28:20Artem and other circus kids have to make so many sacrifices -
0:28:20 > 0:28:23not seeing their friends, not studying at school
0:28:23 > 0:28:25and being away from home for months at a time.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28But the circus is intoxicating
0:28:28 > 0:28:31and I can see how the best parts of life here
0:28:31 > 0:28:33make up for those sacrifices.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38I've had the most fantastic time in Kharkov.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40I've been welcomed into a great family
0:28:40 > 0:28:42and I've learnt so much.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46But there's no question that circus life has a big impact on young performers.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd