Backstage lives of Great Yarmouth circus performers seen through a lens in exhibition by former Professional Photographer of the Year

Dancers at the Hippodrome, by photographer David Morris, whose work is featured in an exhibition at the Red Lion Hotel, Cromer. (Image: Archant)

Acts including the Estelle Clifton Dancers, high wire performer 'Frankenstein', contortionist Melany and juggler and clown Tom Gaskin are pictured backstage as they prepare for their turn in the Big Top spotlight.

Flamingos, one of the images of Hippodrome Circus performers featured in an exhibition at the Red Lion Hotel, Cromer, by former Professional Photographer of the Year David Morris. (Image: Archant)

Mr Morris, who lives at Cromer and teaches creative advertising at colleges and universities all over Europe, said his shots were the result of overcoming challenging conditions which saw him battle 'bombardments of blistering light', followed by 'annihilating darkness.'

And Frankenstein Looks On, one of the images of Hippodrome Circus performers featured in an exhibition at the Red Lion Hotel, Cromer, by former Professional Photographer of the Year David Morris. (Image: Archant)

'All subtlety was lost,' he explained. 'The only thing to do was to rely on the speed of my camera's auto settings, but the The Hippodrome is laden with props,artwork and paraphernalia - it's a photographer's dream.' The exhibition runs at the Red Lion, Cromer, until December. For a chance to win a two-night stay for two, with tickets to the Hippodrome, visit www.davidmorrisphotographer.com

The Contortionist, one of the images of Hippodrome Circus performers featured in an exhibition at the Red Lion Hotel, Cromer, by former Professional Photographer of the Year David Morris. (Image: Archant)