Britney Spears announces Australian tour

BRITNEY Spears has announced her first Australian tour. The controversial singer will play Rod Laver Arena on November 11 and 12.

The trip had been in a state of limbo while the singer's legal team approved an extension of her Circus tour.

Spears, whose father controls her estate, has been allowed to bring her two sons for the three-week tour.

"I've wanted to tour Australia for quite some time," Spears said in a statement.

"My Circus tour is the best show I have ever created and I can't wait to perform it."

Steve Dixon, the tour's producer, said Spears pushed for the visit.

"Britney really wants to come to Australia," Mr Dixon said.

The tour is based on an old-fashioned three-ring circus.

"It's part traditional circus, part pop show," Mr Dixon said.

"This is one of the largest arena tours to play Australia, if not the largest. It's quite an undertaking."

The show features nearly 50 performers, including a dance team, acrobats, aerial performers, contortionists, a fire breather, stilt walkers and magicians.

Tickets will be $99, $149 and $199 and go on sale from July 3 from Ticketek.

While reviews have highlighted the stunning circus feats, critics have criticised Spears for lip-synching.

The star's Australian tour contract reportedly includes a no-interview clause - meaning Spears has yet to address her miming.

"I don't comment on that," Mr Dixon said of the lip-synching.

"People are there for the spectacle that is Britney Spears. She's a great performer. She's every bit as good as any pro dancer. It is a big, giant music event.

"When you play at her level people are always taking pot shots at everything. One minute they're attacking her costumes, the next she's lip-synching . . . people spend so much time building up celebrities just to bring them down.

"She's a worldwide phenomenon, she's a super nice person and she's a great entertainer."

Dixon insisted Spears was physically and mentally on top of her game, after a breakdown two years ago.