When visiting Benidorm, on the tick list will be all the usual tourist attractions such as Terra Mitica, Aqualandia, MundoMar, Terra Natura for the daytime and the iconic and famous Benidorm Palace for the evening.

But another thing that should be on the list is Benidorm Circus, which sometimes people forget about as its only on once a week - every Saturday starting at 6pm. The Big Top is located directly behind the Benidorm Palace and is on all year round - there is air-con to keep you cool during the hot months and heating when its that bit chillier ... yes it even gets cold here!

You automatically think that its just for children but when I went last Saturday there were hundreds of unaccompanied adults! But it is a great location for holding a children´s party and there were 2 separate groups when I was there. When I went through to sit down I even noticed a well known Benidorm face in the audience, the Mayor Agustin Navarro! I went and spoke with him during the break and he told me that one of the birthday boys was his son, who was 5. He said that the circus is a great place and is obviously championing and supporting the local businesses - so well done Agustin.

They change the show every year and this one is called "The Circus Story" which shows how the circus has evolved over the decades, starting in 1930.  David Climent is the ringmaster and it shows him as a young man, then as he introduces the various stages he ages, until at the very end, when it is 2012 he comes out as a really old man, still dressed as a ringmaster - having worked in the circus all his life. Its actually a really imaginative storyline they have followed for this show.

David becomes a knife thrower!

Many of the acts are from the Benidorm Palace but have unique routines specially for the circus show. David does an excellent mirror routine with Pepito the clown to the Pink Panther theme tune, similar to one done by Dawn French and the ballerina Darcey Bussell for a sketch in The Vicar of Dibley. The four Strong Men perform a mesmerizing balancing act on the stage and another performer takes juggling to a new level using top hats, snooker cues and blocks.

During one of the routines David pulls someone out of the audience to become a target for his knife throwing routine.... Im still not sure if it was a plant or genuine innocent spectator, but no harm came to him!

There is a short interval half way through when you can have a walk around to stretch your legs or get a drink. The dancers open the second half of the show as the circus enters the decade of the 1990´s. There is a very amusing sketch of a boxing match played out as USA versus Spain - with the crowd cheering on the underdog Pepito, who is representing Spain.

One of the most enthralling acts is the laser show - all the circus lights are switched off and the magician then does a fantastic routine wearing special protection to his eyes and gloves, which he removes at the end of the spectacle to the applause from the appreciative audience.
Another routine performed in the dark are the fluorescent tumblers - where they get their energy from I really don´t know.

The show lasts for around 2 hours so you can go out for a meal afterwards and its not too late - alternatively if you have younger children eat before you go.... there is certainly plenty of choice in the area - Showboat is only 1 block away and you can enjoy another show there for free after your meal.

If you´re a fan of the ITV hit comedy series Benidorm, the "pink house" which is used as the Solana Resort reception is located directly opposite the Circus entrance - and the cast and crew will be "in residence" from the 25th March until the end of June.  So who knows, maybe you will be lucky enough to spot a cast member, who are often out on the street having a cigarette break between takes.

                                    ***  COMPETITION ***

Now if Ive given you a taste for the circus why not enter our competition for your chance to win tickets for a family of 4 ! All you have to do is answer the following 2 questions:

a) What is the christian name of the ringmaster?
b) In what year does the "Circus Story" begin?

Email your answers to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
before 1st March 2013. Winner will be announced on the site - good luck!