• Billy Smart's Circus, Canford Arena, Merley

Although there are no animals at this circus, the human acts are outstanding.

The six members of the Timur Yakubov troupe from Kazakhstan shimmy up and down tall poles in bizarre ways and the Bull Dancers from America do the triple somersault on the flying trapeze.

Alex the Fireman was originally a Cossack Rider. Now he clowns on a revolving ladder in mad attempts to put out a fire.

Ross Presto produces young ladies from empty boxes and Miss Uelon-Job is an attractive, skilful foot juggler from Mongolia and Russian Alina Eskina displays beauty and skill within an aerial cube.

Plenty of comedy is provided by clown Chico Rico from Mexico and his boxing scene with the audience is a knock-out.