The Flying Karamazov Brothers Video Scrapbook

The Flying Karamazov Brothers are an itinerant troupe of jugglers with their roots firmly planted in the zany ‘60s. Looking like a contingent of jolly Cossacks or Renaissance fair entertainers run amok, the Karamazovs combine juggling, humor, music and choreography in their act, with many of their most famous routines captured in this "video scrapbook." For instance, "The Gamble" has “Ivan Karamazov” (founding member Howard J. Patterson) juggling non-traditional objects submitted to him at random: a plastic table lamp, a cup and saucer, a bouquet of flowers--all child's play for the seasoned performer (a bowling ball sliced in half, he recalls, was admittedly "really hard"). As technically developed as the world class circus acts Ed Sullivan used to feature, the Karamazovs perform incredible juggling feats with an irrepressibly antic mien and a cynically Monty Python-esque sensibility. While the video incorporates film clips of varying technical qualities, the performances of the principals are top notch throughout this 28-year career retrospective. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Tribby)