FILLIS'S CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 141, 16 June 1893, Page 3

FILLIS'S CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE.

The greab tent on the reclamation ground is at present the centre of attraction for all the youth of Auckland who can muster the necessary funds to visib the show. There for the lasb two evenings and afternoons they have congregated in ever increasing numbers to wonder and to laugh. And their elders too, or thoae of them who have nob quite forgotten the delicious traditions of their childhood, and become cynical in the matter of the circus are to be found indulging, in some cases, in as uproarious mirth and applauso as the youngsters. In addition to the usual circus business, which ia better done in Fillis' show than in any other that has visited Auckland, there ia a hosb of variebies not stricbly belonging to the arena which furbher differentiates the performance from others of its class. The introduction of the five elephants, the lions and the monkeys is all new and highly interesting, and if perhaps a shade disturbing to the nervous, thab very disturbance has an element of charm in it. The seemingly unwieldy elephants show a wonderful dexterity and docility, and even the lions—those monarcha of the animal kingdom—submit to an amount of indignity that makes one uncertain whether to wonder most ab the bold behaviour of their keeper or tho magnanimous nature of the beasts themselves. This afternoonand evening the performance will be repeated as usual, with, no doubt, plenty of change in tho programme. Let all our country cousins who do not leave town till late pay a visit to the circus. Horaoloving colonials—and whab colonial does not love the horse—will appreciate Mr Fillis' splendid feats on horee-"back, and the admirable state of obedience to which he has brought his equine pupils. For those who have to leave town before the evening performance, tho management have provided an afternoon exhibition which is, in all particulars, equal to that of the evening. Specially arranged trains will run to and from Penrose, Onehuuga, Mercer, and intermediate stations. The afternoon performance yesterday was fairly well attended, though it should have been better considering that the afternoon performances are equal to those given in the evening. No doubt when this becomes better known the afternoon performances will be well patronised. To - morrow evening's performance will witness tho last of several of the most successful novelties, as they must be withdrawn to make room for new attractions to be presented on Monday evening next. It should be borne in mind that the circus Reason is very limited, the troupe leaving very shortly tor Sydney. .