HOW strange it was to be sat in front of a stage again with hundreds of people.

Gandeys Circus has become one of the first big events to kickstart its tour almost straight after Covid restrictions eased on May 17.

So here we were for the first stop at Knutsford - with Glazebury to follow next month - under a big top with families smiling and a sense of things almost getting back to normal.

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

After the trials of three lockdowns, that feeling was probably as powerful as the reaction to any of the jaw-dropping feats performed by 30 artistes from 12 countries.

In the back of your mind is still that niggle that there may be bumps in the road with the pandemic response but it was tantalising to have a shared experience like this – hopefully a taste of more things to come for us all.

For their relaunch and fresh start, the Arts Council supported Gandeys team – behind Europe’s largest touring big top show – have chosen an Around The World in 80 Minutes theme.

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

So, complete with colourful outfits and props, they ‘visit’ a variety of countries to create a series of scenes with a loose narrative running through it all.

One of the joys of a Gandeys Circus show, Gandeys’ performances in the town date back more than 100 years, is that there are so many elements to it.

As well as the daredevil feats of skill and strength, there is dancing, theatrics, panto-style family humour and audience interaction which had my seven-year-old doing plenty of shouting and pointing.

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

The duo of ringmaster Ryan and clown Andreea kept the show lively and buoyant throughout – but you will have to wait to see if Andreea gets her wish to travel the world by hot air balloon if you are seeing the show at one of its next stops.

Among our favourite moments was the opening light spectacle where a performer made it look like she could pluck laser beams out of the air to dance with.

The most visually impressive part of the show was probably the Mexican Day of the Dead scene complete with skull masks and fire effects.

Photographer Dave Gillespie was invited to take these pictures beneath the big top on The Heath, Knutsford

Photographer Dave Gillespie was invited to take these pictures beneath the big top on The Heath, Knutsford

But if circuses are all about the breathtaking moments for you just wait until you see the infamous high wire performance which involves a duo skipping, crossing blind-folded and even sitting on the wire with a chair.

Another highlight was provided by the three incredible motorcyclists who were locked in a small spherical cage and sped around each other in synchronised loops.

Challenges will remain for event organisers for a long time to come.

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

For example, at each of its shows Gandeys is only currently filling about 350 out of 1,000 seats to allow for social distancing.

But this day out at the circus showed things are definitely on the right tracks.

Gandeys has been awarded the Visit England ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry charter mark to show that it is meeting Covid health and safety procedures and simple things like temperature checks, wearing a mask when moving around the arena and a different exiting procedure did not fee disruptive to the experience.

From left: The Day of the Dead scene and a fiery limbo

From left: The Day of the Dead scene and a fiery limbo

The show must go on.

Gandeys Circus will be in Glazebury at the Greyhound roundabout in East Lancs Road from June 9 to 13. Visit gandeyscircus.com

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

Pictures by Dave Gillespie

Pictures by Dave Gillespie