Circus Hassani

For a number of years, a circus was resident in the Big Top at Alton Towers, with it since laying claim that this was one of the circuses that started the trend for resident circuses in theme parks.

The circus was originally known as Circus Hassani, named after the Hassani family who operated the show. The family also operated a circus at what was then Chessington Zoo (now Chessington World of Adventures Resort) from 1982 until 1991.

After the Hassani family left the park at the end of 1986, the show became known as the International Circus. It was later replaced by a Laser Ice Show, which was one of various shows to operate in the Big Top until it was moved to make way for a new maintenance facility in 1992.