This happy marriage of circus and theatre delivers on all fronts with little nuggets like the woman who was prevented from suicide by the parachuting effect of her crinolines showing something of the potential of this kind of collaboration the unexplored terrain of which lies before us like a gaping chasm. The play is a fitting tribute to and triumphant celebration of ‘The ornament of Bristol and wonder of the age’. Bristolians will love it as will anyone with the vaguest interest in one universally recognized as amongst the greatest of Britons.

There is no question in my mind as to the best theatre of the year; that has to go to the Ustinov in Bath. The plays, both imported and produced have been of the highest quality and that applies to the acting, the writing, the direction and the sets. Let’s hope that under artistic director, Laurence Boswell, the continued mix of home-grown works with his excellent selection of international plays maintains the standard.