London recently banned circuses from the city limits, and no one really mourned. All the travelling circuses I've seen have seemed a little sad - with mangy tigers, pockmarked handlers and bloated trapeze girls - um, no thanks.

Even the upscale Cirque de Soleil; we could never really get on board. Sure, it was fun imagining the shenanigans those bendy people must get up to on the tour bus, but it was just too prissy and clean to be a real circus.

But the tables may be turning. Hot on the tail of the UJ fave Circus at the Soho Revue Bar with the fabulous Jodie Harsh, today sees the ever-innovative Roundhouse launch Circus Front - a celebration of smaller 'boutique' circuses. The Ringling Brothers this is not. Look out for the NoFitState Circus, the Collectif Acrobatique de Tangier, and Australia's Acrobat. Billed as "circus with attitude", this is a collection of the best of international groups.