New York’s critically-acclaimed Big Apple Circus made its Middle East debut at the ongoing Summer in Abu Dhabi fest.

With an international cast of leading performers, trapeze artists, a hilarious clown and a never-before-seen acrobatic display, the Big Apple Circus will run at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre’s (Adnec) until August 3.

The Big Apple Circus gained international notoriety as the opening act on Britney Spears’ phenomenally successful The Circus Starring: Britney Spears world tour.

“The beauty of this show is that it is classical circus as it was meant to be, with dazzling acts that can be fully appreciated by audiences completely immersed in the whole spectacle,” said Guillaume Dufresnoy, Big Apple Circus’ artistic director, who won a Silver Medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris in 1986 and has more than three decades of performing experience.

The specially-tailored Abu Dhabi show will feature 17 leading performers from three continents, ensuring audiences will be enthralled for every second of the 90 minute-long production.

As a special treat, Argentina’s Jonatan Riquelme has chosen Summer in Abu Dhabi for the world premier of his gravity-defying act, where he will balance on a rolla bolla (a distinctive dual-cylinder platform) that swings from a trapeze.

Adding to the show’s aerial master-class will be the Flying Poemas, a quartet of trapeze artists from Australia, Mexico and Argentina, whose daring acts have enthralled audiences at Las Vegas’ famed ‘Circus Circus Hotel’ for years. Their legendary triple summersault is set to be the Abu Dhabi showstopper.

They will be joined by the Espana troupe, whose performances on a 10 metre high spinning double caged Ferris wheel have captured the imaginations of millions worldwide.

For those wanting comic relief, Big Apple Circus welcomes back Gordoon the Clown for the Abu Dhabi spectacle. Gordoon has performed across the globe with Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and at Walt Disney World Resorts and is guaranteed to leave audiences reeling with laughter.

“This is another first for Summer in Abu Dhabi and is guaranteed to keep audiences laughing and talking long after it is over. With its fantastic international cast, stunning production and first-of-their-kind acts, the Big Apple Circus will be a show unlike any other in the Gulf,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, events manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which organises Summer in Abu Dhabi.-TradeArabia News Service