AFTER causing a hair-raising experience for one acrobat and with my arms aching simply from holding a skipping rope, it is no surprise I never made it as a gymnast.

The reality of being in the circus is not as easy as some would think, as the 28 Russian and Ukrainian performers in the touring Moscow State Circus will be all too familiar with.

Each member needs to have completed a four-year apprenticeship in circus skills before even being eligible to perform in front of the public.

Competition is fierce for the show, with 110 people auditioning for every role.

Cast members spent up to 10 hours a day training before the tour began, and while on the road they only rehearse if they are introducing a new trick or if an act needs sharpening.

With no safety nets, there is little room for mistakes.

Tour director Paul Archer, who has always had a passion for the circus, allowed me to get a taste of circus life just hours before the opening night at Horwich’s Reebok Stadium.

The first task in hand for me involved kneeling in the centre of a circle of male gymnasts and holding my arms up straight and gripping hold of two long skipping ropes while the other ends were in the hands of the experts.

After spending five minutes getting to grips with how the ropes should be held, I held on tight and hoped the stars of the show would not plummet to the ground while they flipped over the rope.

Thankfully all went smoothly except for my aching arms, sparked by my nervous tension.

The next challenge was to skip over a rope while holding a hoop.

Having skipped in the playground as a child, I knew it was not a feat to fear.

But instructions seemed to get lost and I thought my job was just to make sure I did not trip over the rope.

I soon realised when a gymnast attempted to dive through the hoop I was waving in the air — instead of holding in place — that I had a bigger responsibility on my hands.

After almost taking out one of the show’s most talented acrobats, I decided a seat in the crowd would be the extent of my involvement with the circus.

Paul said: “It takes determination and hard work to be in the Moscow State Circus if you want to succeed and be the very best.

“The show has lots of excitement, lots of wow factors.

“I seriously believe there isn’t a more exciting show.”

Some of the highlights of the show include the acrobats, who recently scooped an award at the Monte Carlo Circus Festival doing somersaults on top of 18-metre high poles, people juggling on revolving platforms and a woman doing the splits while being held 10 metres high in the air by two men on a tightrope.

A year was spent preparing the show, which is eight weeks into a two-year tour that will journey across the country and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The youngest acrobat is 15-yearsold, and the oldest is aged 41.