Beauties and beasts, in a heady show. It's the Circus on Ice, from Russia with love.

   A blinking Barbie doll complete with a blonde ponytail is eye-candy for sure. Breathe life into it, and voila, the doll becomes Olga Vayman, a 21-year old figure skater cum circus artist straight from Moscow.
 

Olga is among the 50 artists who will perform in the city in December, as part of the unique Circus on Ice presented by the Russian State Circus Company We got a sneak preview when Olga, who has been brought up within a circus since she was five, displayed some stunning aerobics.

   Circus is still very big in Russia. Said the company's director, Arkadi Pogosov: "For Russians, circus is wholesome family entertainment." Which is why business is good. Just check out these statistics: The company has 10,000 employees and 5,000 animals. They have 40 offices all over Russia and perform the world over. Their artists are also employed by Disneyland and other circus companies.
   For their show here, the company will bring 10 tons of equipment that includes ice making machines. A few hurdles are still there. For one, restriction on animal movement across international borders has to be worked out. "How can you have circus without animals?" says Pogosov. White beers and sea lions, besides cats and dogs will be the attractions. The beauties and the beasts will create an unique spectacle.
   But don't look at Olga too hard. Her complain: "I'm not comfortable with the stares I am getting here." Never mind, we told her, that's because she is so beautiful! The frown from the blinking Barbie is gone. In a blink.