I don’t know about you, but if I could twist and turn my body in the way the girl in the picture does, I’d want to see a doctor.

But not her, or the other performers in Le Grand Cirque, who have chosen to embrace their many talents and take them on tour around the world.

Contortion will be just one of those talents performed alongside Chinese pole climbing, acrobatics, dancing and some truly mesmerising bike riding with a countless number of people someone fitting on a two-wheeler.

“We have been so lucky that we have got these acts,” said the producer of the UK tour, Graham King.

“Every night I’m amazed they can do two shows every day. I love watching the audience as their reaction is absolutely amazing. People are dumbfounded how this can be achieved.”

The acts come from all around the globe, and Graham explained how they found them.

“We literally go for auditions and travel around the world to various countries and different acrobatic schools.

“A lot come from China and also from Europe, Russia and America, so really all over. We go to all the big circus conventions like the one in Monte Carlo every year where we look for talent. Our aim as producers is always to improve and add to the show.”

Graham, who was a dancer in the Irish show Spirit of the Dance, has been with the company for the five years.

He added: “We have four troupes around the world at the minute and the UK tour troupe have literally just come over from a South African tour.

“It’s a particular big operation with 62 people involved in every UK tour venue including technicians, lighting and costumes.

“For each section of the show there are different costumes and there are some elements of nature in those costumes, which are specially made for each tour.

“It’s a very big project making the costumes, they each have to fit the acrobats and be able to do their various acts for the show. There is a probably a team of 30 to 40 people that make the costumes for each tour.”

  • Le Grand Cirque, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, August 7-10, 2.30pm (except Thurs) and 7.30pm, £24.50 / £22.50. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk.