Not so long ago circus was consigned to a bin marked "scrap heap". Clowns' only turns were menacing bit parts in horror films and the only four-legged creatures left were those in the flea circus.

But 12 years ago Phillip and Carol Gandey (the force behind The Spirit of the Horse and the Ladyboys of Bangkok) decided if circus was to survive, it had to ditch the lions in cages and put a new spin on family entertainment.

They came up with Cirque Surreal and breathed life into the big top and the careers of a circus-ring-full of C-list celebs when they struck a deal with Sky One to create Cirque de Celebritie.

The new-look circus - with the focus on death-defying physical performance, drama and comedy - saw the Cirque Surreal play sell-out shows by night and train the likes of Big Brother loser Grace Adams-Short for the Sky TV show by day. While the series was criticised by some for making the circus industry look cheap, the show brought the big top to a new audience.

For their latest show, the people from Cirque have gathered up circus stars from ten countries to perform aerial acts and astounding acrobatics to a right-on story.

Voyagers follows the adventures of five travellers who, according to the blurb, are "drawn from four continents - Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. They seek to gain recognition in a developing global community and the fifth voyager - representing the millions of stateless people - simply wants to belong."

While the "poignant drama", set to music and played out in giant revolving kinetic sculptures, might not tug your heartstrings, the acrobatics will certainly get it racing.

One act guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat is Bulgarian masters of the gigantic revolving Wheel of Death, Nikolay Kakralolev and Konstadin Popov.

Other highlights include Lui Jai Jai and Miao Chang Wei performing the Oriental Swan, an impressive fusion of ballet, acrobatics and strength, and the awardwinning Russian aerialist Victoria Antipova.

Cirque Surreal artists include:
From Bulgaria
Silfodilini (Nikolay Kakralolev & Konstadin Popov) on the award-winning Wheel of Death.
From Ukraine
Desire of Flight. The Aerial Straps - a remarkable strength, skill and artistic technique, demanded in equal proportions - are matched only by the courage required to perform such a pulse-stopping routine.
From China
Lui Jai Jai and Miao Chang Wei present one of the Orient's most remarkable treasures of physical theatre - The Swan, a breathtaking fusion of ballet, physical strength, balance and pure artistry. Housch-Ma-Housch, a graduate of the world-famous Circus School of Kiev, whose miming talents have been compared to Marcel Marceau, and his appearance to one of the Addams Family.

  • Mon & Wed, 5pm & 7.30pm; Thur & Fri, 7.30pm; Sat, 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Sun, 2.30pm & 6pm. Monday May 7, 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Tickets £28-£7.50. Call 01273 709709 or go to www.cirquesurreal.co.uk.