Britney Spears' breakdown tour

Dec 11, 2008, 9:10 GMT

Britney Spears' upcoming 'Circus' tour will reportedly be inspired by her breakdown.

The 'Womanizer' singer's run of shows will have an escapist theme which will see Britney - who has endured a turbulent 2008 - flee to the circus before emerging from the end of a rainbow following a thunderstorm.

A source said: "Britney is well aware of what a roller coaster she has been on and she is determined that her recent life is reflected in the shows.

"She thought the best metaphor to use would be the circus. Fans get to travel with her through her fall from grace and her eventual rehabilitation."

Britney, 27, famously went off the rails following the end of her marriage to Kevin Federline. She shaved her head in February 2007 and was hospitalised several times - most famously in January of this year when she refused to return sons Sean Preston, three, and Jayden James, two, to their father.

Since then, Britney's dad Jamie has taken on co-conservatorship of her affairs and she has begun to turn her life and career around.

Explaining how the performances will illustrate the last two years of the 'Toxic' star's life, the source added to Britain's The Sun newspaper: "The first act sees the miserable star run away to join the circus. This mimics her slide into unhinged behaviour.

"Her disturbing antics while suffering her meltdown are the focus of the second act, which takes place in the circus. She is seen having fun in this crazy world and falling in love with a circus freak.

"The final act focuses on Britney's salvation. She manages to prize herself away from the clutches of the circus to be reunited with her friends and family."

Britney's world tour begins in New Orleans on March 3.