GIFFORDS Circus returns to celebrate the 250th anniversary of circus with their touring show, My Beautiful Circus.

The show will open on Friday, May 4 at Fennells Farm, Stroud and before touring throughout the Cotswolds over the summer.

My Beautiful Circus will see a wide range of talented new acts take to the ring.

Third generation Italian circus performers, The Curatola Brothers will be joining the tour with their hand-to-hand acrobatic act, along with Diana Vediashkina and her troupe of dachshunds and Lisandra Austin who wows with her aerial silk act.

The Portuguese Dias Family will also be taking to Giffords’ tent.

This family touring troupe of eight all work together to create gymnastic and balancing acts.

Alongside these new acts, many fan favourites will be returning to the tent.

Founder of Giffords, Nell Gifford will once again enter the ring with her unrivalled equestrienne act.

Tweedy the Clown returns to the tent with his slapstick physical comedy, sure to have audience members of all ages in stitches.

Giffords is delighted to welcome back Nancy Trotter Landry who originally joined the circus at the age of 19 and since then has appeared with Giffords as a non-drag drag singer, donkey riding Persian orator-king, a neoclassical mad bird charmer and a Transylvanian circus mistress.

Dany Reyes, also comes from a circus family and returns to the big top with his contemporary juggling routines. Dany Cesar will be bringing his expert horsemanship into the ring once more for Giffords Circus, and Alfredo and the highly acclaimed Pozo the Strongman, will be dazzling crowds with a combination of acrobatics and strength.

Since 2012, Giffords shows have been directed by Cal McCrystal, whose credits include Iolanthe at The ENO Paddington, Paddington 2 and One Man Two Guvnors.

Maverick, naughty and uncompromising, Cal leads the company through a three-week rehearsal period at the Giffords Circus farm in the Cotswolds, ahead of them hitting the road.

As well as an exciting array of old and new acts, circus goers will be treated to new live music from the circus band, handmade costumes, freshly painted wagons and a new tent, adding a new dimension to what is already circus at its absolute best.

Circus-goers can also enjoy dining at Giffords exclusive rustic restaurant, Circus Sauce.

Founder, and producer Nell Gifford said: “We are so thrilled to be taking part of the celebration of the 250th year of circus. Show director Cal McCrystal and I have been asking ourselves: What makes the circus so magnetic? What is conjured up by the word circus? Why do we want to run away with the circus? What would the most beautiful circus look like? I hope that this year’s show will answer all those questions and more.”

Visit giffordscircus.com for full tour dates.