FAMILIES were wowed by an incredible display of contortion and dance as the circus arrived into town.
Jay Miller's Circus has opened at Finkley Down Farm in Andover on Thursday, May 11.
One of the stars of the show is 22-year-old Paige Miller.
Paige, who is part of the family who runs the travelling attraction, was born into the circus and has been performing since she was just 11 years old.
She puts on an aerial display combining contortion and dance, high above the circus ring in a chandelier.
She said “I know no other life than the circus. Me, my older sisters and little brother were all born into the circus.
“Every year my mum books new artists from across the world and she booked someone called Monica when I was young, she was a hand balancer and was really flexible. She held a bow and arrow and popped a balloon with her feet with a backbend, I really wanted to do that. So I spent two and a half years practising, I couldn't even do the splits when I started.
"I performed my first ever contortion act just before my 11th birthday, I did it as a one-off show just to see if I had the confidence and see how I would deal under the pressure with an audience.
“Then my mum said ‘you're booked’, and the next year when I was 12 for the whole year I performed a mermaid act. Every year since then, we've booked different artists, and they've taught me new things.
"I love performing and seeing the audience reactions, when it's a full house and the audience appreciates what you do, there is no better feeling.”
The family-owned circus has been running for over three decades.
The show also features clowns, a talented ring mistress, a Wheel of Death, street-style BMX, masters of illusion, laser light show, and much more.
It will be putting on shows in Andover until May 21, before heading off for a packed summer with stints in Seaford, Lindfield, Wimborne, Swanage Alton and Wootton.
Tickets cost £24 adults or £20 child for ringside seats, £20 adult or £16 child for the grandstand, £10 for all side view seats.
All tickets on Thursdays are £10, as well as on Wednesday, May 17
To see the show times and booking details click here - https://www.jaymillerscircus.co.uk/tour-dates/andover/
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