THE BALLOON MAN

Britain’s most famous circus comes to Liverpool

From:  baytvliverpool.com

By Beth Falkingham
8 April 2014
Billy Smart founded his circus in 1946 and toured Britain throughout the 1950’s and 60’s building a reputation of quality entertainment. The Circus become a household name throughout the second half of the last century making regular appearances on television, including a ‘special’ in 1977 in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Philip in Windsor Great Park for the Queens Silver Jubilee.

After taking a break from touring, the circus baton has been passed down to Billy Smart’s granddaughter Yasmine Smart who is the current Ring Mistress of the show, which has adapted to suit a more modern audience whilst still keeping in touch with the roots built by her grandfather.
The circus show is an hour and a half of thrill, laughter and excitement as the acts from throughout the world show us their skills on the trapeze, trampoline, Argentinian bolas, juggling and of course no circus would be complete without a clown, Jonny Bongo, who keeps the excitement rolling throughout the many set changes.

Craig Littleland from The Flying Aces, an Australian trapeze and trampoline act was previously an accountant, however left his old life in the ‘real world’ aged 26 to join the circus and has been performing the trapeze for the last six years, however the trampoline act at Billy Smart’s is new to him.
He says “Both our acts are quite high energy, I’d like to think, with good music. In the flying trapeze act it’s a little bit different to regular traditional flying trapeze”
He went on to say “You should definitely come as see it.”
Alina Eskina, who grew up as part of the world famous Moscow state circus has a completely original act where she flied high above the ring in her cube act.
She explained: “All my family are from the circus, so I’m originally a circus baby. So [I’ve learnt my skills] all my life in the circus but this act I’ve been doing for fifteen years.”
The matinee performances are very child friendly with special pram parking, a stuffed toy raffle and audience participation the show is a great trip out for the whole family.
Yasmine, Craig, Alina and the rest of the troop will be at Sefton Park from 18th – 21st of April and will then move to New Brighton’s Kings Parade from 23rd -27th.

You can find out more about the circus and book tickets at www.billy-smarts-circus.co.uk