With the Chinese State Circus setting up its big top on Blackheath, reporter MICHELLE FRAME decided it was time to stop clowning around in the office and paid the world-famous troupe a visit ...

THE performers at the Chinese State Circus are used to wowing the masses but, thanks to News Shopper, the tables have turned and they have their own source of fun — me.

Watching a not-so-nimble journalist climb a narrow 8m high ladder is, it seems from the reaction of the pros, a fantastic spectator sport but my thoughts are unprintable as I try desperately to cling on to my life — and my dinner.

Even through half-closed eyes the skill and agility of the rest of the troupe is immediately apparent as they gracefully skim up to the aerial bar and wave cheerily to the crowd below.

After I get my feet safely and firmly back on the ground artist liaison manager Debbie McPherson reassures me the team have been practising for years to make their performance look so easy.

She said: “The artists are picked from a very young age based on their height, weight, size and ability. It is a great honour to be chosen, as big an honour as touring with the Royal Ballet, for example.” Two members of the circus who prove this are twins Gao Ning and Gao Ding. After unravelling themselves from an eye-watering gymnastic display, they explain they both joined the circus when they were nine years old. Now aged 24, even their minimal English does not disguise their passion for their jobs.

Elder sister Gao Ning explained: “My favourite bit is entertaining the crowds and making people smile. It is normal to join so young. I just like doing this.” With only two minutes between them, identical smiles and matching outfits, the pair have one more thing in common — identical husbands.

The duo married identical twins Chen Ku and Chen Pen two years ago in a shared ceremony and now the foursome live and work together — meaning the skill needed to tell them apart is equal to the skill required for the girls’ favourite act — plate spinning.

After my own dismal attempts, which looked more like Greek plate smashing, I am treated to a demonstration of how it should be done. The act, which sees one of the twins balance upside down on the other’s head while they spin eight plates each, only proves running away to join the circus is not for everyone, and not for me.

From a few hours with the circus I learned that making what is hard look easy requires skill, dedication and practice — everything the performers have in abundance. As for my use in a circus, it would be rather limited. Unless the lions got hungry.

The Chinese State Circus will be in Blackheath, Shooters Hill Road, until November 2. For tickets, call 07030 190 190.