Also, on the four-legged front comes the incredible horsemanship of Boris Borissov with his stunning pure white larger-than-life horses. Boris and his troupe display an astonishing array of equestrian skills as well as juggling and acrobatics on horseback.

Not to be outdone, human skills feature aplenty in the new show, including eye-popping thrills from Brazilian Alex Michael, one of the few trapeze artists in the world who works without a safety net high above the circus ring; Czech husband and wife duo Toni and Nikol with their nail-biting knife-throwing routine and the Duo Galaxy from Germany with their terrifying ‘Wheel of Death’ – firm favourites at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

On the lighter side, visitors can enjoy comic antics from new Italian clown Mr Lorenz, the unique comedy style of Alex the Fireman; tumbling from Kenya; “Star Wars” style laser antics; foot juggling from Italian beauty Romy, all hosted by Norman Barrett MBE – Ringmaster extraordinaire with his cheeky performing budgerigars.

Zippos Circus will be on tour throughout the UK from March 24 2016 until October 2016. 

Blackheath, Shooters Hill Road, Lewisham, London, SE3 0UA, Thursday 24 March – Tuesday 5 April.

Tickets: £9 - £20.

www.zipposcircus.co.uk