There were several occasions during Cirque du Soleil's performance of Saltimbanco in a big top at Manchester's Trafford Centre car park when the audience broke into spontaneous applause.

These were times when the performers on stage were displaying strength and agility, which almost defied belief.

For example, 20 artists effortlessly scampered up 25-feet high Chinese poles and performed a kind of gravity-defying dance. Or four performers floated, tumbled and flew gracefully through the air in a mixture of trapeze and bungee jumping.

Then there was the raw energy of the Russian Swing, which saw acrobats catapulted 13 metres into the air, complete complicated aerial acrobatics before landing on their feet or on the shoulders of others.

Cirque du Soleil started life as a small group of Quebec-based street performers almost 20 years ago. Now it has grown to be a major provider of entertainment and has thrilled more than 42 million spectators in more than 100 cities.

The show is a striking and dramatic mix of circus acts and street entertainment, featuring some sumptuous costumes, superb lighting effects, and stunning music, performed by a tight band, who can do rock, jazz, funk or opera.

It was great fun for all the family and there was lots of interaction with members of the audience, who all rose to the occasion.

Sometimes an individual took centre stage the fantastic juggler or the tight-rope walker for example. At other times the whole cast was involved and there was choreographed action going on wherever you looked.

There was a cast of 53 artists and you realised that each one was an expert in one field or another. It must take years of dedication to reach these standards.

My only criticism of the event was the high cost of soft drinks for sale at the venue - £2 for a small bottle was excessive.Take your own carton instead!

But that is a small gripe. Overall, it was an astonishing and spectacular show.

Saltimbanco runs at Manchester until February 13. Tickets cost from £17 to £39 and there are discounts for students, senior citizens and children under 12. Box office telephone 0161 749 4204 or ring Ticketmaster on 0870 380 0020.