STEPHEN PULLINGER It is a seeming miracle, and might account for some of Peter Jay's grey hairs, that acts can come together from all over the world and within days produce such a colourful, fast-moving show.

STEPHEN PULLINGER

It is a seeming miracle, and might account for some of Peter Jay's grey hairs, that acts can come together from all over the world and within days produce such a colourful, fast-moving show.

With a new flying trapeze act from the US and a troupe of acrobats coming all the way from China, Mr Jay is hailing this summer's Yarmouth Hippodrome Circus as his costliest and most spectacular ever.

Adding to the cost are the tons of props that have been airlifted to Norfolk from all over the globe.

Mr Jay, who has run the show for 27 years, said: “The last time we had a similar Chinese troupe over here they were the hit of the Royal Command Show and the late Queen Mother told me they were her favourite act.”

He described the Dezou troupe, who have come specially from Shandong in central China, as “one of the most breathtaking acts I have seen”.

“What is amazing is the sheer quality of what they do. Everything is perfect. It is ingrained in their culture in a 2000-year tradition,” he said.

Father and son comedy duo Clive Webb and Danny Adams will be making their third summer visit to Yarmouth.

Clive, originally a star of Tiswas, said: “It is partly the special atmosphere of the Hippodrome that attracts people back.”

The newly-formed Bulldancers Trapeze artists have brought rigging specially designed for the Hippodrome.

A glittering international line-up will also include Nickolay Nickolay, an aerial artist from Bulgaria, UK magician Johnny Marx and Ronnelle, an aerial silks act from the US.

The show will make use of the Hippodrome's water feature, one of three surviving in the world.

The circus starts on July 19 and runs to September 10. Box office: 01493 844172.