"YOU'RE going to the circus today!" These were the words my news editor uttered to me this morning.
Naturally, I obliged, and secretly I was as excited as a young child would be.
Billy Smart's circus is Britain's largest of its kind. First hitting the road in 1946, the circus achieved huge success in the fifties and sixties. It stopped touring in 1971, while it continued to produce TV specials into the eighties.
After its long absence, Billy Smart's circus is now back, and has set up camp in Swansea's recreation ground for the week.
From clowns to trapezes, the show contains everything you'd expect from a typical circus, as well as a few unique surprises.
Heading into the typically novelty sized large tent, my editor's words still rang in my ear: "Anything they want you to do, go along with it".
My mind was racing through all the things they could possibly make me do. Walk a tightrope? Ride a unicycle? Tame a lion? Obviously the latter was not going to happen as there are no animals in this circus, but I couldn't help wonder what surprises were in store for me.
Pre-show rehearsals were under way when I arrived. This involved the 'Gretzu Troupe', a group of springboard acrobats from Romania. As I watched, I witnessed one of the acrobats being launched into the air, and then caught mid-flight by another acrobat. They held the position briefly, before being thrown back down and caught by another bunch of gymnasts on the floor.
Impressive indeed, but then it dawned on me: What if they do this to me? I really didn't fancy being flung twenty feet into the air like a rag doll. I anxiously watched as they finished their routine. Thankfully, I wasn't asked to participate.
I was instead taken over to the handlebars, to have a go at the balancing act. I've never had the best sense of balance, but watching the young performer, Desiree, balance gracefully and skilfully on the bars with ease made me think I could do the same with no problems.
I couldn't have been more wrong. I placed my hands in what seemed like a ridiculously awkward position on the bars. I tried to lift my body up, but nothing happened. Two more attempts, and nothing. I could hear the quiet laughs of the rest of the crew as I continued to make a fool of myself.
After another demonstration, I gave it one last attempt, this time determined to get it right. This time I placed my hands correctly, my first leg went up off the air. All was looking good, but as I lifted my standing leg, my arms gave way, and I narrowly avoided falling flat on my face onto the gravelly floor.
My pride damaged, I decided to end it at that and leave it to the professionals.
The current show names itself as a modern, compact version of the original Billy Smart Circus, and with its range of talented performers, it is sure to wow audiences across the country once again.
Billy Smart's Circus is at the Recreation Ground until Sunday, March 24.
Naturally, I obliged, and secretly I was as excited as a young child would be.
Billy Smart's circus is Britain's largest of its kind. First hitting the road in 1946, the circus achieved huge success in the fifties and sixties. It stopped touring in 1971, while it continued to produce TV specials into the eighties.
After its long absence, Billy Smart's circus is now back, and has set up camp in Swansea's recreation ground for the week.
From clowns to trapezes, the show contains everything you'd expect from a typical circus, as well as a few unique surprises.
Heading into the typically novelty sized large tent, my editor's words still rang in my ear: "Anything they want you to do, go along with it".
My mind was racing through all the things they could possibly make me do. Walk a tightrope? Ride a unicycle? Tame a lion? Obviously the latter was not going to happen as there are no animals in this circus, but I couldn't help wonder what surprises were in store for me.
Pre-show rehearsals were under way when I arrived. This involved the 'Gretzu Troupe', a group of springboard acrobats from Romania. As I watched, I witnessed one of the acrobats being launched into the air, and then caught mid-flight by another acrobat. They held the position briefly, before being thrown back down and caught by another bunch of gymnasts on the floor.
Impressive indeed, but then it dawned on me: What if they do this to me? I really didn't fancy being flung twenty feet into the air like a rag doll. I anxiously watched as they finished their routine. Thankfully, I wasn't asked to participate.
I was instead taken over to the handlebars, to have a go at the balancing act. I've never had the best sense of balance, but watching the young performer, Desiree, balance gracefully and skilfully on the bars with ease made me think I could do the same with no problems.
I couldn't have been more wrong. I placed my hands in what seemed like a ridiculously awkward position on the bars. I tried to lift my body up, but nothing happened. Two more attempts, and nothing. I could hear the quiet laughs of the rest of the crew as I continued to make a fool of myself.
After another demonstration, I gave it one last attempt, this time determined to get it right. This time I placed my hands correctly, my first leg went up off the air. All was looking good, but as I lifted my standing leg, my arms gave way, and I narrowly avoided falling flat on my face onto the gravelly floor.
My pride damaged, I decided to end it at that and leave it to the professionals.
The current show names itself as a modern, compact version of the original Billy Smart Circus, and with its range of talented performers, it is sure to wow audiences across the country once again.
Billy Smart's Circus is at the Recreation Ground until Sunday, March 24.
