Despite being given only a few hours notice of the capital’s largest ever outdoor circus events, packed crowds turned out yesterday to witness an extravaganza of global proportions.

Piccadilly Circus Circus featured 250 performers from 17 countries spread across 12 stages.

Piccadilly Circus Circus featured 250 performers from 17 countries spread across 12 stages.

Held as part of the London 2012 Festival’s Surprises series, Piccadilly Circus Circus brought together over 250 performers from 17 countries and spread them across 12 stages for a day of free entertainment. News of the day’s proceedings were embargoed until 6 AM on Sunday morning but by 2 PM, the specially pedestrianised zone was thronged with spectators.

The afternoon kicked off with a VIP gathering in the main piazza with the clown prince of British politics Boris Johnson and other organisers giving a press conference. Barely audible above the sound of the a nearby drummer troupe, the London Mayor announced that “this is the home of circus. London gave the world circus about 250 years ago and this is a very modern type of circus with zip-wires and what have you, none of which I am pleased to say I am going to be doing myself. It’s a chance for people to enjoy this space in a way that they haven’t been able to do before.”

While Johnson declined the opportunity for more aerial buffoonery, the finale saw Place des Anges provide an overhead display of dazzling fluency and artful skill during which 1.5 tonnes of feathers were dropped onto the crowd below.

Will London 2012 deliver more variety treats? Stay tuned to This Is Cabaret for the latest information.