FILLIPS CIRCUS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 40, 15 February 1894, Page 2

FILLIPS CIRCUS.

THE NEW PROGRAMME.

Last evening Fillis' Circus Company pub on an entire change of programme ab their big tenb on the Quay-street reclamation. The firsb performance of the Company was an excellenb one, bub laab nighb's*programme j was one of the best circus performances yet seen in Auckland —-indeed many of the items had never hitherto been attempbed here. There was a very large attendance, the monster tent being well occupied. Novelties were the rule of the evening. The first item on the programme was the wonderful aerial feat ot Miss Lazel, who was fired from a cannon and very cleverly caughb in mid-air by Miss Alexander, the latter hanging face downwards from a trapeze. The performing baby elephant Bess and the litblo Japaffesfc pony Resident then came on the arona, took supper together, attended by the inevitable comical little monkey, which Was a "source: of never-failing amusement to the children. A comic entry by the " boneless "JFeeley Bros, caused much mirth, arid Miss Minnie was much admired in her tine equestrienne act, representing England, Scotland and Ireland. The diminutive ponies Whisky and Soda were next on the sceneT and with the favourite pony Dolly went through some very clever evolutions. These ponies, as well as the others in tho Company's stud, seemed to be possessed of almost human intelligence, so well and carefully trained Were they, and so scrupulously accurate were their movements. Tliegarlarid manoeuvres on horseback, by eight ladies of the troupe; the monkey foxhunting act, tho triple horizontal bar display by the clever gymnasts Mesers Martini, Holt nnd. Wallebt, and the Feeley performances were amongst the moat interesting and clever on the .programme, and Mr Dan and Miss Kabe Feeley were loudly applauded for their graceful ladder balancing act, one of the most astonishing feats of the kind over performed here, and the former's sensational "slide for life "down .1 slender cord from bhe summit) of the tent r.o the ground, won the gymnast m»iiiy" plaudits from the house. During the evening a tine exhibition of horseback riding was given by various members pf the Company, and both Mr Fillis and Madame Fillis especially proved themselves as much at homo in the saddle as on tho ground. Madame Fillis's " high school" riding act, introducing for the first time the beautiful New Zealand thoroughbred horse Victory, purchased by Mr Fillis on his last visit to the colony, was a splendid exhibition of skill in managing the paces of a horse. The six trick ponies in the second part were also greatly admired, and their careful schooling was the theme of universal comment;.

The mosb novel item on the programme —for a circus performance—was the beautiful exhibition of classical statuary by the celebrated Mayol Troupe. A series of nino living pictures of statuary, representing various scenes, from Industry to the Roman Gladiators, was shown under coloured lights. The pose of the figures was perfect, and the whole formed as beautiful a set of picbures realistic of statuary as have yet been seen on the local stage. Several other interesting acrobatic items followed this, and an excellenb all-round entertainment was brought to a close by the sensational lion act, when two fine Nubian lions were wheeled into the arena, and their intrepid trainer, Mr John Cox, entered the cage. Mr Cox demonstrated to all his wonderful control over the wild beasts of the desert.

Laet evening's programme will be repeated to-night and on following evenings. There was no afternoon performance to-day, but there will bo one on Friday, special train arrangements having been made. The performance of the circus yesterday afternoon was attended by a large number of the charitable institutions in Auckland, in response to the very kind invitation of Mr Fillis. Amongst those present were between 50 and 60 children from the Parnell Orphan Home.