The 'Great' British Circus is one of the last UK circuses to use 'exotic' animals. As Circus Harlequin, they featured heavily in Animal Defenders' damning report 'The Ugliest Show on Earth': incidents included a sick lioness being hidden from the RSPCA.

Animal circuses are banned from council land in Nottingham and Broxtowe. However, the owners of the Japanese Water Gardens in Stapleford, near Nottingham still make them welcome.

Nottingham Animal Rights and End Circus Cruelty plan to hold protests throughout the circus' visit to the area. The first of these protests are to be held this weekend.

The times are:
Friday 7pm (for 730pm show)
Sunday 230pm (for 3pm show)