AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1379, 11 July 1874, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

THE CIRCUS.

The Siamese and Asiatic Circus last evening was well attended by a respectable audience, and the various equestrian and Bleight-of-hand performances were executed with success. The serial evolutions of the Siamese girl werei Btartling and wonderful. The balancing on the ladder eclipsed anything of the kind that we had previously witnessed, while the tricks of Bungaro were equally remarkable, especially the bottle trick. The feats of Mons. Salavaro as the Indian from the Ear West, aod Mr Brame (an Auckland native), the fearless bare-backed rider, were certainly at the head of the equestrian exercises, and gave life and colour to the circus—indeed without these leading performers the circus would lose its greater attractions. The grand tilting tournament was an imposing sight, and was very gratifying to the spectators. The scene, reminded us o? the scenes so vividly described in Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe," a. book which every young man should read, not merely for its romantic associations,; but for its truthful insight into past history; The great scene of the entertainment however was "Mazeppa or the Wild Horse of Tartary*" which-was very fairly represented, with the Sale, lovely figure of the pretty Docey as [azeppa, bound to the wild steed. Mr. Collier looked quite venerable as the Castellan of Laurinski. Mr South took the part of Rudzoloff with much credit, while Mr Douglas represented Count Palaleni with his wonted cleverness. The humorous exhibitions of Messrs Foley and South were aptly given, despite a few stale jokes which bear repeating and. the new version of the ludicrous ballad of johnny Sands. Mazeppa, in its full representation, illustrates a phase •f history which Byron has encircled with his poetical genius. Mazeppa was real character—a Cossack, born in 1645, who subsequently became a page in the service of Casimier, one of the. Rings of Poland. For a certain immoral intrigue the King ordered him to be stripped and bound upon his horse, lying upon his back with his head towards the animal's; tail, and left, to his fate. He was at length rescued from his perilous position, and won.the confidence of Frederick the Great. Re abandoned the "service of the Czar, and entered Sweden, where he died in 1709. The Circus in its general features of horsemanship is attractive to young persons, and calculated to win asmile sometimes from children of older growth; '-' THE MINSTRELS. ! The City Hatl minstrels were againsuccessfol with their lively and sentimental ballads and musical selections. The programme was of a similar character to that of the previous evening, and was frequently applauded; i The pieces of the evening- were : " That Rascal Harry," " Obeying Orders," and "Tricks on Travellers," which were brought outs with Qon-jjimmate ability. The California

mm,- i Is idvu a vol v pleasing entertainment, u'lwc vviug in its general characteristics.