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If ever a show had a wow factor it's this year's Christmas offering at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth.

For the first time in the history of this 104-year-old building they've brought in a wall-of-death style motorbike act.

Much of the excitement comes in the setting up of the equipment. The globe of death sits like a giant Christmas bauble at the side of ring, waiting to slide into position.

Hamster wheel

Once there, and brilliantly lit from the inside, the three Bulgarian riders whiz round this massive metal hamster ball like demented wasps.

The gravity-defying Globe Of Death act

The meshed globe looks barely big enough to hold one motorcycle, let alone three! Yet they all get in and defy both gravity and the eye as they circle it.

It's a triumph for the producers Peter Jay and son Jack who once again prove that if you think you've seen it all before, you most certainly haven't.

That is also true of the finale where, above the water-filled ring and its fountains three aerial artistes perform on silks. It's breath-taking stuff and a great finish to the show.

Not for the first time Peter Jay proves his abilities as a talent spotter offering the clowning to 18-year-old Bippo.

He's got loads of personality, some original touches and, unless I'm much mistaken, I suspect in the circus world a star is born.

West End pet stars

If pet performing dogs can be described as animals in the meaning of the term, then animals are back at this circus.

These are West End stars having been trained to appear in the Palladium and touring production of the musical Chitty, Chitty, Bang,Bang.

Bippo The Clown

They're presented by Charlie and his wife, giving us a tribute to Charlie Chaplin, and go down well with the audience.

Returning from the summer show are the ever-energetic Kenya Chiefs whose acrobatics and limbo dancing are played out with real verve. Back from the summer too is Robert Foxhall whose rope act is sheer aerial ballet.

Brother and sister Pasha and Cara are amazing - spinning around on a big version of parallel bars in the ring, before joining Robert Foxhall on the silks in the finale.

Completing the acts is Anastasia with both hula-hoops and a balancing act which is as powerful as it is graceful.

To all of this is added the show's dancers and swimmers, the children from the Dance Estelle School and the Chermond Circus School.

This really does fill the ring with performers and some great routines, particularly the toe-tapping Lord Of The Dance with the ever-popular Irish step.

With the latest hit tunes, top-notch lighting and the ring which fills with water, this is once again a Christmas show you won't forget in a hurry.

The Christmas Spectacular runs until 6 January, 2008. Call the box office on 01493 844172 for more details.