An Aurora entertainer, who has performed for children in the GTA for more than 20 years, has gone online during the COVID-19 pandemic with a YouTube show called the Amazing Arthur Show.
Arthur Kantemirov is a popular clown and magician, who, for the past three years, has performed about 400 shows a year, including four shows every weekend at the Woodbine Mall.
However, due to the pandemic, Kantemirov’s career has been devastated. “On March break weekend, I had contracts for 16 shows in just the one week, but all of them were cancelled, and I had zero shows since then,” he said.
Kantemirov said he always wanted to have his own show, but has been so busy with work for the last couple of years. The pandemic is a challenge for him, but also an opportunity. “The first day when I was out of work, I knew it was time.”
It is not an easy task to create, act in and edit the show all by himself, but with the encouragement of his wife, Kantemirov took four months to put the first episode together.
The show was filmed in the Markham-based circus school Wonderful World of Circus, which has closed after 22 years of being part of the community. Kantemirov’s family owns the circus school, but if they can’t find someone to buy it by next week, it will be closed forever.
“The main goals of my show are to make children laugh and show them reality from a different perspective, help them think outside the box during (this) uncertain time. Through my goofy characters, I try to teach children that hard work, persistence are very important in life,” he said.
For example, in the first episode, Kantemirov introduces four characters in addition to the host: Mr. Strong Man, Captain Har, Dr. TryIt and Mr. Magician. “Dr. TryIt is one of my favourites; although he is not very good at everything, his determination and persistence make him overcome all obstacles.”
Since the Amazing Arthur Show went live on YouTube on Aug. 10, Kantemirov has received great responses from the viewers, and they are waiting for the next episode.
“My biggest fan is my 1-1/2-year-old daughter, Alisa; she has been watching me edit the first episode for four months and she is still laughing at it,” Kantemirov said, admitting that it has been a great motivator throughout the project.
So far, Kantemirov has filmed two episodes, and the third one is in preparation. This show, he said, is the culmination of his experience working with children and passion for clowning.
“I am sharing all the ideas I had in my head since I was growing up in the circus, sneaking into clowns' dressing rooms to see what they were up to,” Kantemirov said, adding that the show would stop when he is out of ideas and has nothing else to share. “But I am hoping that day never comes.”
To watch the full episode, visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-2RAFn35a6cSksUK82ZkYQ.
Scarlett Liu is a reporter for the Local Journalism Initiative, which is funded by the Government of Canada, with Torstar Community Brands.
