Zippo's Circus nationwide Big Top tour – ‘Legacy’ - celebrating the 250th anniversary of circus entertainment arrives in Greenock until Sunday 24 June.
Audiences can still expect a spectacle like no other as extraordinary equestrians, astonishing acrobats, comic clowns and dashing daredevils join together in the ring to pay homage to Englishman and charismatic impresario Philip Astley, who invented the worldwide sensation that is circus in 1768.
Tickets will still be valid for The Circus Site and audiences can expect to see some of the amazing horse acts which thrilled people back in Georgian times, now performed by master equestrians The Khadikov Riders. Their astonishing repertoire will include the recreation of a rarely seen and daring equestrian act called ‘The Courier of Saint Petersburg’ which audiences have marvelled at for generations.
The electrifying cast will also introduce timeless comics - modern clown Totti with his wife Charlotte, herself a traditional White Face Clown from Belgium; and Brazilian Capoeira comic acrobat Paulo Dos Santos– a brilliant 3 foot 11 inches tall showman who starred most recently at Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey. Dos Santos won first place in Brazil’s National Capoeira Championships and his antics will incorporate elements of Capoeira (a Brazilian mixed martial art combining music, dance and acrobatics) into the show.
Another sure fire hit of the show is daredevil Pablo who will perform high in the Big Top atop a dazzling Space Rocket; and Cuban acrobats the Hermansito Troupe, showing off their Springboard and Russian Bar skills. Perhaps most daring of all will be Alex Michael, the fearless Brazilian aerialist who swings and walks upside down 30 feet above the audience with no safety nets or wires.
The future of circus is not forgotten at Zippos Circus, in the form of The Garcia Brothers, the young sons of Pablo who will finish the show with their extraordinary hand balancing skills.
'Legacy' will be presented by the world’s most famous Ringmaster Norman Barrett MBE, who will also welcome back his colourful fun-loving budgies, a perennial hit amongst children and adults alike.
Tickets for the two hour show start from just £9 for adults (15 years and over) and £7.50 for children. Seats for Preview Shows are available for £7.50. Kids under 2 go free if they don’t occupy a seat.
Advance booking is recommended - book online and check tour dates at www.scotlandsfavouritecircus.scot
Dial-a-Seat tel: 0871 210 2100 (calls cost 13p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge)
PERFORMANCES: Friday June 22nd: 5pm & 7.30pm, Saturday June 23rd: 3pm & 7.30pm
and Sunday June 24th: 12 noon & 3pm.