The circus has been with us since Roman times, but centuries later, the circus world has never been more diverse and captivating, the global success of Cirque du Soleil testament to its enduring and universal appeal. In Britain alone, there are traditional family circuses for kids and arty cirque-style shows for adults, circuses in tents and circuses in theatres, circuses with animals and circuses without, the Circus of Horrors for clubbers, the comedy-based Circus Hilarious and cabaret-style hybrids on the burlesque circuit. What they all have in common is the extraordinary skills, dedication and lifestyle of the circus breed: a unique strain of performers who blend the discipline of sports stars with the razzmatazz of showbiz; itinerant but clannish entertainers who have often had circus blood in their families for generations; world class gymnasts who risk death twice daily, serve on the tea stand in between and help take down the big top afterwards.