Roll up, roll up to circus spectacular

Wild West whip-cracking action is promised as the circus rolls into town next week with a new big top event.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Apr 2016, 11:00 BST
Planet Circus is arriving in WiganPlanet Circus is arriving in Wigan
Planet Circus is arriving in Wigan

The two-hour OMG! show will be performed near Wigan’s DW Stadium from Wednesday April 27 to Sunday May 2, with three new acts.

They are the Transformer Optimus Prime of the hit action movie fame, the Brophy family-of-three from Australia with a country and western act and Mona Lisa from Romania with a death-defying silk scarves acrobatic act.

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Another favourite spectacle includes the legendary Globe Of Death with Peter Pavlov, who is Europe’s youngest stunt rider, aged just 15.

The showpiece features eight motorcyclists speeding around inside a steel cage at over 60mph, performed by Peter and Amelia who are circus director’s Tanya and Pavel’s children. And direct from the Monte Carlo Circus Festival, is gold medal-winner the Prince Of Balance Emil on the unsupported ladder.

One of the circus’s stars, Gary Brophy, 53, said: “I’m the seventh generation of circus performer.

“This is my first show with Planet Circus.

“I perform with my wife Caroline, 53, and two daughters Bonita, 24 and Jessinta, 22.

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“I’ve been performing since I was seven in Australia and this is my 36th country.

“I’m in the Guinness Book Of Records for cracking the biggest whip.

“It was bigger than the circus top at 140ft long in 1986.

“It’s a very rare act, you just don’t see it.

“It’s something that died out but our family have managed to keep it alive.

“You’ll see cracking whips, spinning lassos and guns, and newspaper cut from my wife’s mouth!”

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Producer and director of the show Mark Whitney said: “This is a circus for a whole new generation of families.

“Bringing state-of-the-art lighting and effects alongside some of the circus world’s biggest and most dangerous acts.

“It’s an amazing adrenaline-packed family spectacular, that has something for everyone and it’s amazing value for money all housed in our state-of-the-art big top.”

Planet Circus have shows running each day from Wednesday April 27 until Sunday May 2 on the carpark off Stadium Way.

Free car parking and tickets available on site from 9.30am to 8pm.

Prices vary. For more information visit www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/planet-circus-omg-tickets

Related topics:WiganAustraliaPrince