ZIPPOS CIRCUS

Clowns are like Marmite-covered soldiers; you either love them or are absolutely terrified by the mere sight of them. The Italian family of Rastelli Clowns made their first UK big-top appearance at the Crystal Palace Grand Continental Circus in the winter of 1934-5 and over the ensuing decades tumbled their way across the country, their skills being handed down from generation to generation. Then something happened. In the 1990s, circuses changed. Audiences wanted (or thought they wanted) something a bit more edgy. Death-defying acts involving chainsaws and skin-tight leatherwear were in. Sad-faced old men in pancake and fake noses were out.

Mercifully, for those of us who missed this pure, classical entertainment form, Zippos Circus has reintroduced them to the 2014 line-up, with Oreste Jnr, the grandson of the founder, at the core of their sax-playing, gracefully goofy turn. It’s not difficult to see what makes this circus more appealing than some of their competitors. Ringmaster Norman Barrett and his performing budgerigars are worth the price of admission alone. The 78-year-old’s fluffy phenomena are a YouTube sensation. The 11 avian stars are like a well-practiced football team (there are always some boys on the subs bench), they twirl and cycle their way through a 20-minute acrobatic routine to a soundtrack of ‘Ahhs’ from a cooing audience.

Strongman Hercules is a Guinness World Record holder, with a chest that almost defies description. The point at which he lays on the ground and is run over by a huge 4x4 containing three burly types, is the point at which my six-year-old leapt from her chair and shouted: ‘It’s amazing, Mummy!’ And she wasn’t alone. He survives of course, but delivers just the right degree of thrill without frightening the horses.


And there are horses. Beautiful Arabian stallions, choreographed by Summer to dance and prance around the ring with all the grace of a herd of prima ballerinas. In the true tradition of a travelling band, in the interval this diminutive equestrian star was working the candyfloss machine alongside Salvatore, the highwire showstopper. The Tropicana Troupe acrobats from the Cuban State Circus are a masterpiece in dangerous aerial manoeuvres: Will they, won’t they? One of them does fall, to gasps all round, but it’s okay, this is old-fashioned show time, with a reassuring safety net.

Zippos Circus is on tour in the UK until November: 0871-210 2100, www.zipposcircus.co.uk