Prior to its London run, it will also tour to eight cities across the UK, beginning performances at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre Oct. 1, then visiting Canterbury, Aberdeen, Bradford, Bristol, Nottingham, Norwich and Sheffield, through Nov. 24.

Described in press materials as a combination of theatrical clowning and stunning visual spectacle, it is performed by an international company of clowns led by Slava Polunin, who was recently appointed artistic director of the St Petersburg Circus. Influenced by artists such as Chaplin, Marcel Marceau and Engibarov, Slava and his company have taken clowning out of the world of circus, and brought it to theatre lovers.

Performed by an ensemble company, it is rarely known in advance which clowns will perform at which performance.

The show originally premiered in the UK in 1994, and has since regularly toured here and internationally in 120 cities in 30 countries to more than 3 million people in over 4,000 performances. It won an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment during its run at the Old Vic in 1998.

For further details on the tour, visit slavasnowshow.co.uk. To book tickets for its London run, contact the box office on 0844 875 0073, or visit southbankcentre.co.uk