All the fun of the big top without a dancing bear in sight. Billy Smart's Circus is an animal-free affair billed as a dazzling combination of theatre, dance and music.

It has been voted Britain's best circus and its 50-odd international artistes include the likes of Mexican clown Chico Rico, illusionist Ross Presto & Company and an act that has taken America by storm - The Flying Bull Dancers.

Who wants performing chimps when you can watch Russian husband and wife outfit with a death wish, Duo Berestov, make their British debut? The couple, who trained at Moscow's State Circus, like to dangle one another from Inspector Gadget-style extendable limbs.

Fellow Eastern European entertainer, the very glamorous 23-year-old acrobat Anastasia, grew up in a circus family, touring with her performer parents throughout the Eastern Bloc.

While her schoolfriends spent their spare time on fashion and pop music, the Estonian filled her non-school time swinging through the air. Like the rest of Smart's all-human troupe, she makes the seemingly impossible look easy.

  • Box office open 10am-8pm daily.

For showtimes call 0870 444 1505 or visit www.billy-smarts-circus.co.uk