BEING able to fly through the air is something very few of us could ever dream of mastering - but here's one guy who has turned it into an art form.

Vladimir, an aerialist who hails from the Ukraine, says the best way of describing his act as "aerial ballet" but even this falls short of the mark.

He explained: "When you tell people you fly they imagine another trapeze act, but it's more beautiful, more graceful."

Audiences can see for themselves when he debuts at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach this summer.

Vladimir will headline in the world premiere of Eclipse, the first show at new theatre The Globe.

And he admits it's going to be a challenge.

"I've worked all around the world but I've done mainly short-term work, maybe one to ten shows," he told the Citizen.

"I will be here for almost five months, performing twice a night.

"It's going to be tough but that's showbusiness."

Vladimir has had good grounding for his art which he has been perfecting for eight years.

He was discovered by the prestigious Cirque du Soleil and with their help made a name for himself in America.

This led to regular slots in Las Vegas at the likes of the Stardust and Mirage.

Such critical acclaim prompted People Magazine to tag him "one of the most beautiful people in the word."

British audiences got their first glimpse of him last year on the Royal Variety Performance.

Now he's looking forward to appearing in Blackpool, saying: "I'm excited about this project because it's a brand new initiative and the theatre is made for something just like this.

"It's also a great honour to work with the other acts because there are three or four people who hold Olympic gold medals.

"I can't wait."

Vladimir will share the stage with a host of other British and Russian gymnasts including trampolinist Igor Gelimbatovsky, trapeze artist Sidorova and acrobat Karen Rose.

Eclipse opens on July 18, with previews from July 1.

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