Twists and turns in the big ring

Thunderous cheers greeted each feat by the Chinese acrobats performing with the Indonesia Oriental Circus during their show in a giant tent in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.

Set up in the 1960s, the Indonesia Oriental Circus hires renowned acrobats from China -- selected as the winners of several international acrobatic competitions -- for a year to allow their local counterparts to learn from them.

The audience is not only left to gasp at the amazing acts of agility, but also guffaw at the antics of the clowns and the animal performers.

The circus stays in one place for several weeks before moving on to other sites across Java, all the time showcasing the family entertainment found in the big ring.

-- Text and photos by P.J. Leo