FILLIS' CIRCUS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8476, 6 May 1893, Page 9

FILLIS' CIRCUS.

Like the issuing ot the fiery cross, used in olden times to coll the Highlanders to battle, so the advent in our midst of a circus is the signal for the congregation of boys of all sizes and ages. They come not by single spies, but in whole battalions, content; .tp . stand, flattening their noses against the palings during the greater part of a day, so that they may siy "to their confreres with pardonable pride that they have seen the tip of a lion's tail or the end of an elephant's trunk. Happy is the boy who has a nodding acquaintance with oue of the helpers of the Circus, if n$ only rakes over the sawdust. Nor is this love of the arena confined to boys. The memory of the Circus on t'ae village green-at -Home as strong enough to induce the middle-aged man to go time after time and to sit watching with eager eyes the fairy form of the* lady rider floating round the ring, and to. listen contentedly, nay, even amusedly, to the hoary headed chestnuts of the clown. This being so it waa to be expected that the opening night of so complete and: thorough a circus organisation as that presided over by Mr Fillis would attract a: large gathering. Its fame had preceded it,! and unlike fame sometimes, as far as amusemeut caterers are concerned, the reality was fully up 'to the anticipation, i Mr Allan Hamilton had succeeded, by thedisplay of most elaborate po.ters, in. arousing the curiosity of the British public' considerably, and they poured into the ample canvas structure which had* risen; mushroom-like during the day ontrre site where circuses have held sway from time, immemorial iv Christchureh. Sigaor Agrati,, who comes fresh.-with- sbories of Brazilian! revolutions and fcnrhults, and Mr Fillis! himself, who sits at the receipt of custom in a cosy nook at the outer portals, had as muchas they could do to tedelye thtf money. Passing through the first tent, where the menagerie is placed, the _ugeof lions attract-, ing the greatest share of attention, the; spacious auditorium is reached. This is: comforbabiy seated, and the attendants all being in dress clothes, and the appointments good, gives an air of completeness to. the whole affair. In fact alike as to the general management, and the performances provided, Mr Fillis' Circus—like the Gaiety Company who shortly visit us—is quilie up to date. First in order of merib comes Madame Fillts' Haute Ecole, a wonderfully graceful and pretty performance. Old circus goers will remember what a charming act Miss Nellie Reed used to make of this, and Madame Fillis introduces a number of new movements. The lady is a magnificent horsewoman, and her horse is admirably trained. This item was whab our American cousins would call "real elegant." Mr fillis is without exception one of the mosb dashing: bareback riders we have ever had here as he, is also the mosb unassuming. He does his ; aob with giaceand ease, and a tobal" absence ot that absurd posing for effect whichso many riders assume. He sits on the least sp'M.e of any man we have seen, and one wonders how it is bhat he can go round the ring merely flattened up against the horse. He jumps'oa and off, turns somersaults,: does a retrogressive march all over the; horse, and finally winds up with a reproduction of a steeplechase which, from its naturalness, would win the heart of any. Irishman fond of " lopping." Mr Fillis is a wonderful clever rider.: "

To see a set of Lancers correctly danced— if; one may be. permitted to use the term— by eight ladies and gentlemen in full Lancer costume, all mounbed on grey horses, is a novelty worbh seeing. Led by Madame and Mrs Fillis, it is one of bhe prettiest acta in a most artistic programme. Two wonderfully clever artists on the horizontal bar,; Mon3. Martini and Walber Holt, must be seen to be "appreciated. Miss Minnie, a; charming equestrienne, flies through hoops, &c, most artistically. Mr Walter Holb plays excellently on all kinds of instruments, and receives a floral tribute with much grace. Master Taylor manages -his team of' eight ponies well,-and Mr Behham, with] several other comical gentlemen, including that, latest addition to circuses, the dumb; clown, kept the audience in a merry mood. ; The beautiful Hungarian aud Arab horses introduced by Mr Fillis all bub speak in their intelligent performance, and this is also one of the star points of Mr Fillis' excellent catering for his patrons. iMr- Cox ex-< hibifcs his performing elephants" and a cage of Nubian lions. These are the cheerful animals with whom for a brief space a daring pressman in Dunediu consorted. Here.'eibher because the pressmen are more valuable or do not hanker after fame, even in bhe lion's moubh, no rush has yeb taken place for the gold medal. There are several other items on the programme, which concludes by 10.30 p.m., there being no intermission, and the circus as a whole is by far the best we have had here. This afternoon at three o'clock there will be a performance, and also in the evening.