WITH plate spinners, somersaulting cyclists and chair-balancing acrobats, the Chinese State Circus has burst on to the big top stage at Oxpens.

A cast of 32 Chinese performers, including a monkey king and Shaolin warriors, have arrived in Oxford as part of a eight-month UK tour.

Having trained for most of their lives, the circus stars use every day objects in unusual ways, building on Chinese traditions that go back 2,000 years.

One of the best parts of the show, according to trainer Saied Debbach, sees a woman balance up to ten chairs on her hand.

He said: "All of what they are doing is really difficult, both mentally and physically.

"They have to train really hard. Most of them have been doing it since they were four or five and they work all day every day.

"You can train for two months for a two-minute routine.

"It can be very dangerous if you are not focused. The brain makes everything work and it will all come crashing down unless you are 100 per cent focused.

"To see what can be done with the human body is amazing."

Mr Debbach has also promised a bicycle pyramid, foot jugglers and acrobats swinging from the ceilings over the six days the circus is in town.

The troupe have been travelling together since April, visiting dozens of cities across the UK.

A chef has been brought in from China to produce special meals to suit the performer's diet.

Cao Lei, a gymnast who spends much of the show balancing her whole body on a single hand, said she started training when she was 12 and spends eight or nine hours a day practicing.

Her translator said: "When she was 12 she always saw beautiful performers on the TV and thought that she would really love to do it too.

"Before she goes out on to stage she is a little bit nervous but when she starts performing her head clears and she is no longer scared."

Performances take place at 4.45pm and 7.30pm today, Friday and Saturday with an extra 2pm show on Saturday and two Sunday performances at12 noon and 3pm.

Tickets are priced between £15 and £36 for adults and £12 and £36 for children and can be bought from the box office at Oxpens which is open from 10am until 8pm or online at www.chinesestatecircus.com

The Oxford Mail has 15 family tickets to give away.

For full details see today's Oxford Mail page 43.