2018 is Year of the Circus, a celebration of its invention and genius 250 years ago by Philip Astley.

I've spent the last two years in a backstage study of the Hippodrome Circus and her performers trying to capture the life behind the smile that the public always sees. It's a tough environment where lighting conditions resemble a war zone; great bomb blasts of light followed by utter darkness.

David Morris

www.davidmorrisphotographer.com

PLEASE NOTE: You will also need to buy your £5 wristband for HIPFest to gain entry