Circus

Anglia TV's 'Here and Now' cameras catch up with David Smart ahead of the start of the Billy Smart's New World Circus 8 month tour of Europe.

The name Billy Smart is synonymous with the Circus and 1963 saw the family show at the height of its popularity with what is described by Billy's son, David as a "miniature United Nations" about to set off on tour. As well as acrobats, trapeze artists and clowns, the Circus troop included 60 tonnes of elephant - the largest herd of trained elephants in the world trained by Billy Smart Junior.

Bob Wellings and Anglia TV cameras were allowed special access to meet some of the animals and interview a number of the Smart family including their wives who, as former trapeze artistes, were now hands on managing the costumes and music. Sadly, the main man himself, Billy Smart was away at the time of this filming and 3 years later, following a promotion for his Circus in Ipswich died suddenly on returning to his trailer. Billy Smart's circus legacy lives on as an important part of Britain's entertainment history.