Giffords Circus is coming back to Marlborough in August – with a new Mexican theme.

The hugely-acclaimed circus that has been a Wiltshire family favourite for decades is returning to its pitch on Marlborough Common for a series of shows from August 25 to September 5.

As always, the shows are expected to completely sell out as families clamour for seats in the big top.

The circus is also to set up tent at Bowood House, near Calne, for shows from April 28 to May 3.

The new show is titled Carpa, the Spanish word for tent and which was a type of theatre that flourished in the 1920s and 1930s in Mexico and the southwestern states in America.

Announcing the 2022 tour today, the show’s director, Cal McCrystal, said: “Our new show will evoke the sights and sounds of rural Mexico. Mexico’s incredible art, music, history, and people will be our inspiration.”

He added: “We are bringing Mexican performers over to join the troupe and with them we will create a show full of skill, humour, turmoil and excitement.”

Mr McCrystal, who directed last year’s show, The Hooley, said that he, Giffords musical director James Keay and award-winning set and costume designer Takis will “faithfully continue Nell Gifford’s extraordinary vision”.

Nell Gifford, co-founder and producer of the circus, died in 2019, aged 46.

The new Giffords show will star Tweedy the Clown with fellow clown Adriana Duch, juggler Gordon Marquez, vaulting and pas de deux act the Donnert Family, trapeze artiste Anna Rastova, aerial duo Isabella and Daniela Munoz Landestoy, the knife-throwing Jasters and acrobats from the Havana Circus Company.

As always live music will be performed by the iconic Giffords Circus Band.

Giffords Circus was established in 2000 by Nell and Toti Gifford. It is a village green circus that tours England throughout the summer and combines dance, comedy, horses and live music in a white tent surrounded by vintage-style burgundy showman’s wagons.

For tickets go to: www.giffordscircus.com