ROLL UP, roll up, the circus has come to town — with the world's largest high-speed hamster cage.

It's the famed Moscow State Circus which boasts death- defying stunts on the one and only four-man Skywheel.

The massive Big Top — 38 metres in diameter and 18 metres high — has been set up on Oaklands Riding School fields, near the Alphington roundabout, and will be operating until Sunday.

Paul Archer, the circus's general manager, and his Russian wife Irina were hard at work yesterday preparing for the grand opening night at the 1,134-seater arena.

Mr Archer said: "We are really looking forward to our stay in Exeter.

"We were here in 2007 at Whipton, but that was with an entirely different show and this is a far more open site.

"In the circus business this week, the back to school week, is regarded as possibly the worst in the year — but Exeter is a pretty big city and we have a great show."

All the circus artistes have undergone four years of intensive training in their various skills — with seven to eight hours of rehearsals every day.

Topping the bill in Exeter is the Skywheel.

Mr Archer said: "It is the world's only four-man Skywheel. If you can imagine two giant hamster cages on a rolling metal frame with the four men perched on the outside, 15 metres up, travelling at high speed with no safety harness and performing, then you have just an idea about the spectacle.

"There is also the Double Russian Swing, which has two swings at either end of the Big Top and acrobats swinging five to six metres between them.

"There are also clowns, jugglers and a slack wire-walking clown.

"All those taking part are Russian, and all have undergone rigorous training."

Mr Archer believed the circus still had a strong appeal for all ages.

"It is still very popular not just with children but with older people too, as everyone can enjoy and admire the skills and daring on show," he said.

The Big Top takes four hours to set up and two hours to dismantle.

"It is a skilled operation but it is something the team get used to and this is a great site for a Big Top," Mr Archer said.

The tent will host two shows a day, including Sunday. They are at 5pm and 7.45pm on weekdays; 3pm and 7.45pm on Saturday and 2pm and 5pm on Sunday, with seats available half an hour before each show.

See tomorrow's Echo for a review of the show.