Updated: May 06, 2013, 12:00 AM
In pictures: Behind the scenes with the Monte Carlo Circus
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 28, 2013: (L) Jaroslav Valla, who performs under the artist name Jarda Ross, talks with his family as they begin their daily preparations for the evening performances at the Monte Carlo circus, on Sunday, April 28 2013, at the circus new temporary location in Mussafah, an industrial subsection of Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 28, 2013: A clown takes a breather backstage before his evening performance. Silvia Razgova / The National
A clown steals a peek at the audience from the backstage curtain as he prepares for his performance at the Monte Carlo Circus that is temporarily located at Mussafah, in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National
Ukrainian rope artist Jevgenia Shchokina flying high beneath the circus tent to the delight of the audience in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National
Sylvia Cramerova, a Czech member of a six-generation circus family, prepares to wind down after a night's performance. Sylvia performs with her family in a magic act as well as in her solo act as a hula-hoop artist Yayahoop. Silvia Razgova / The National
Ethiopian jugglers (R) Nebyu Almerew, 20, and (L) Milkyas Asfaw, 24, take a moment to relax backstage before their next performance. Silvia Razgova / The National
Ethiopian jugglers (L) Nebyu Almerew, 20, and (R) Milkyas Asfaw, 24, practising backstage before their next performance. Silvia Razgova / The National
Egyptian lion tamer Anosa Kouta, 25, feeding one of her lions a piece of meat on a stick in a mouth-to-mouth stunt during her performance. Silvia Razgova / The National
Emirates Private Schools students wave in excitement as the performance goes on at the Monte Carlo Circus. Silvia Razgova / The National
Colombian artists perform one of their stunts at the Monte Carlo Circus on Monday morning, April 29, 2013. Silvia Razgova / The National
Students of the Emirates Private School leaving the circus grounds after an entertaining performance by the Monte Carlo Circus. Silvia Razgova / The National
A young girl from the audience takes to the stage after agreeing to participate in the clown's act during the performance. Silvia Razgova / The National
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 1, 2013: Eight-year-old Antonin Valla, the youngest of the Valla-Bertini circus family, and an aspiring magician, poses for a portrait in front of the Monte Carlo circus tent, as he plays outside while the performance???