The circus is returning to Hitchin with a socially distanced Big Top!

The renowned Circus Wonderland is heading back to our town with high flying acrobats, jugglers and clowns promising thrills and spills for all the family.

The circus has appeared annually at Butts Close for the last five years, but their latest visit this autumn has been in doubt when the show was forced to close in March by the Covid crisis.

The troupe are led by Kriss Freear and Paul Carpenter who appear as clowns Kakehole and Popol, although 2020 has brought them little to smile about.

"We launched our new season in February and were only open for four weeks before the start of the lockdown," explained Paul aka Popol, adding: "Some of our performers managed to return home to their own countries, but others have been stranded here since March after the borders were closed, and have

been trying to survive without any financial income."

The circus industry had planned to reopen on July 4 along with restaurants, pubs and bingo halls, but their hopes were dashed when live performance was still banned.

The wonderland troupe joined a circus protest in

Westminster, delivering a letter to Boris Johnson to remind him that without their peak summer season many circuses would be forced to close permanently.

Fortunately outdoor performances were eventually given the green light, although there will be many changes evident inside the Big Top.

"We have fought so hard to reopen, but now the safety of our audience and performers is our main priority," says Paul.

"We will only have half the usual number of seats to allow for social distancing, a one way system in the tent and there will be sanitisation points and increased cleaning measures introduced.

"We are very grateful to North Hertfordshire District Council for working closely with us to find a way for our event to go ahead as safely as possible."

The clown duo, who have twice been named 'Best Circus Comedy Act' in the annual circus awards, are joined in the spotlight by Miss Grace Olivia, who

brings glitz and glamour with her hypnotic hula hooping, as well as bungee bouncing acrobats, astounding aerialists and flame throwing jugglers.

Despite the challenges posed by presenting the show within the new safety guidelines, the performers remain optimistic about their return to the spotlight.

"We understand that some people may have questions or concerns about the safety implications of visiting the circus, but we also believe that the public have been starved of entertainment this year and we are ready to put the smiles back on their faces."

Paul adds that the rule of six means that no more than six people can sit together and the circus creates a space around each 'bubble'.

Please note if you're concerned about the new 10pm pub curfew rules, their last show finishes at 9.30pm.

The show is appearing at Butts Close, Fishponds Road from Thursday October 15 until Sunday October 18.

Tickets from £7.

For show times and further information about the show visit www.circuswonderland.co.uk or contact their

box office on 07531 612240