AMUSEMENT IN 1866.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 11

AMUSEMENT IN 1866.

WHAT AUCKLANDERS SAW. "OTHELLO" AND A CIRCUS. . Did Aucklanders in the "early days" go short of ariiusement? A perusal of the records of the 'sixties soon shows that they did not. There were then no motor cars, no film theatres, no gramophones and no radio stations, but entertainment opportunities were in some respects superior to those of to-day. On Anniversary Day, 1866, for instance, Aucklanders saw a production in the Prince of Wales' Theatre of "Othello." It was followed by a concertina solo avd a "screaming farce," entitled "The Eton Boy." The Parnell Dramatic Hall reopened with the drama, "The Dream at Sea," and there was a bazaar in aid of the City Mission and another to help the Orphan Home. But many people, no doubt, preferred a visiting circus, where the outstanding attraction was a feat of Zampillaerostation" (or "the flying trapeze"). ■In thqp daytime, from the regatta, diversion in the open air was to be had both at Kemp's Garden and at Greenwich Park (Lake Pupuke). •Kemp's Garden was reopened with a "monster pavilion" and a swinging boat, and a sports meeting was held there. The garden was illuminated in the evening, and there was a fireworks display, while the band played. But the most interesting attraction (at least in retrospect) was the performance of the "great Cursissaltoambulator," Professor Taylor, who engaged to perform the following nine feats within one hour: —(1) Walk half a mile; (2) run one mile; (3) run a coach wheel one mile; (4) run a wheelbarrow half a mile; (5) run half a mile and jump six hurdles 3ft Oin high; (0) hop 50yds on one leg; (7) pick up 30' stones a yard apart and bring each badi; to the place of starting; (8) pick up 30 eggs a ya£d apart With his mouth .without touching his knees to the ground, bringing each back to the place of starting; (9) throwtwenty 501b weights over his head with one hand. Admission to this performance cost 2/, but the money "was returned if the above programme is not faithfully carried out."