Monte-Carlo circus festival in town

Held under the patronage of its president Princess Stéphanie, who like her late father Prince Rainier III adores the circus, the festival welcomes 26 acts from 16 countries this year. Irreverent clowns, breathtaking acrobats, flying trapeze artists and fearless animal trainers, will be competing.

Now in its 34th edition, the International Circus Festival offers a dazzling array of arts based on both the classic and the contemporary. 'Classic' applies to animal acts while 'contemporary' implies all the skill and creativity put to work since the 33rd edition.

A sneak preview of the highlights includes the Flying Michaels, an airborne ballet from Mexico; the Zulu acrobatic troupe from Kenya who accomplish the barely-believable to an African beat; the Rossyans and Court Circuit, irrepressible clown acts from France; and Julien Possada, a tight rope equilibrist.

And of course there are the 'classic' animals from Switzerland, Lithuania and Tadjikistan: seals, elephants, dogs, horses and lions. To the critics of animal employment in circuses, Princess Stéphanie responds: "The Festival plays a role in inviting only acts that guarantee animal health and well-being." Sceptics can see and judge for themselves by visiting the circus menagerie around the Fontvieille Big Top.

In Monaco everyone joins in. As well as parades, Port Hercule will host a free circus performance on the 16th at 2.30pm, the Théâtre Princesse Grace will exhibit the circus art of painter Igor Akimov; and Prince Albert II's football team, Les Barbagiuans, plays a team of festival artists at the Stade de Cap d'Ail, at 8.30pm on the 18th. LB