Combining contemporary "cirque" style skills with off-the-scale thrilling stunt action, the danger-filled spectacle of Cirque Berserk is returning to Wimbledon.

A troupe of over 30 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians and death-defying stunt men will be joined by award-winning physical comedian Tweedy.

The comedian was called "the best clown I've ever seen" by a Guardian critic. But he's not a clown, writes Louisa Clarence-Smith.

"I provide the comedy element but I’m not a clown really," he says. "I’m more of a comic performer and my inspirations are people like Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, so it’s physical comedy that I do, like the way those performers used to do it."

Otherwise known as Alan Digweed from Aberdeen (although his on-stage moniker has extended to everyday life), Tweedy is just one cog in the big, outlandish wheel that is Cirque Berserk.

Although to call Tweedy a cog would be doing a disservice to a performer who has gained individual praise from Paul Merton ("I could watch Tweedy all day") all the way to Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter ("Tweedy fills us with delight every time we see him").

So why, in a show that includes death-defying motorcycle stunts, high-flying acrobats and a crossbow-firing contortionist do people come out talking about a guy messing around on stage?

"I try and combine things that other acts do successfully but also I think people like it because they can relate to the character in a way," Tweedy says.

"The show’s full of individual acts that are amazing but they’re a million miles away for people to comprehend trying to do. My act will probably make people see what they would look like if they tried some of the stunts that the other Cirque Berserk performers are doing."

Direct from four sold-out seasons in London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Britain’s popular contemporary thrill circus is embarking on a nationwide tour.

The show will include the world’s most dangerous circus act, the legendary Globe of Terror, with 3 motorcyclists speeding at over 60mph inside a steel cage, as seen for the first time live on stage in the UK.

"It’s a unique show and it’s thrilling and very exciting. It is a circus show, but also you get those thrills - like the motorcycles in the Globe of Terror", says Tweedy.

Tweedy says that the excitement of seeing the performance in a theatre far outweighs the effect of a normal ‘Big-Top’ circus show.

"Watching Cirque Berserk on the stage is far more exciting - the audience are being taken out of their normal environment and getting to witness that danger element that they wouldn’t normally see.

"Plus the whole experience feels a lot stronger because you’re so much closer to the action than you would be anywhere else!"

Cirque Berserk; New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway; Monday, Feb 9, 7.30pm; Tues, Feb 10, 5pm and 7.45pm; £21.90 to £29.90; atgtickets.com