June 4, 2009 9:05

Britney Spears opens European tour with fire, sexy pants and a dwarf

Pop princess brings her 'Circus' tour to London

Britney Spears kicked off the European leg of her 'Circus' tour in London last night (June 3), with her stage show including pyrotechnics and a performing dwarf.

Watched by stars including Patrick Wolf and Adele, the singer played in the round across three circular stages with a host of backing dancers and circus performers.

The show was the first of eight set to take place at the O2 Arena over the coming days before more shows in Manchester, Dublin and the rest of Europe take place.

Watch fan footage of the performance by clicking below.

After a show from stage performers including acrobats, clowns and a dwarf, all from New York's Big Apple Circus, Spears was introduced via video by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, who was dressed as Queen Elizabeth I.

He announced "the return of the fine lady Spears" before adding, "Welcome to the 'Circus'!".

Flanked by aerial artists hanging from hoops, Spears was lowered from the ceiling dressed as a circus ringleader in red and gold coat, black hotpants and glittery cowboy hat for the set opener, 'Circus'.

The show featured numerous costume changes – with Spears changing into an array of glittery underwear sets and skin-tight playsuits as well as slit turquoise harem pants and a shimmery short silver dress.

Spears spoke to the crowd little during the show, stopping to shout "What's up London? How you guys feeling tonight?" before introducing 'Everytime', the only ballad of the set. She sang the song from the crook of a large parasol raised above the stage.

The tour, which started March 3 in New Orleans, included a number of impressive set pieces, including during 'I'm A Slave 4 U', which saw the Louisiana-born entertainer lifted up in a metal basket over a ring of fire.

'Touch of My Hand' was sung whilst Spears was blindfolded, before again being raised above the stage, straddling two leather-clad acrobats.

Spears performed a one-song encore of 'Womanizer' whilst dressed in a sexy police uniform complete with diamante handcuffs and shirt open to the waist.

Then a shower of sparks rained down on the stage and Spears said her final words to the rapturous crowd: "Thank you London, you guys have a wonderful night."

Britney Spears played:

'Circus'
'Piece Of Me'
'Radar'
'Ooh Ooh Baby'
'Hot As Ice'
'Boys'
'If U Seek Amy'
'Me Against The Music'
'Everytime'
'Freakshow'
'Get Naked'
'Breathe On Me'
'Touch of My Hand'
'Do Somethin''
'I'm A Slave 4 U'
'Toxic'
'...Baby One More Time'
'Womanizer'