THE CIRCUS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3495, 19 September 1882, Page 3

THE CIRCUS.

Messrs Woodyear and Rosa are to be congratulated on the success that attended the opening exhibition of the Royal Australian Circus last evening. The commodious pavillion, located in Clive Square, opposite the Theatre Royal, was crowded in every part with a respectable and appreciative audience, while of the performance itself it is no exaggeration to say that it far exceeded the anticipations of the most sanguine. From the commencement to the finish the interest of the programme was never allowed to flag for an instant, and anything like hitches or sameness was conspicuously absent. The several feats of horsemanship, notably those of Master Jack Cousins and Mr Gillham, were gracefully and cleverly performed, and excited much admiration, the horses also exhibiting a degree of training that we have seldom seen excelled. The trick ponies, Snowflake and Sultan, the latter a beautiful little animal, were loudly applauded for their clever evolutions, which they went through at a simple word of command from the ring-master, gracefully kneeling to the audience at the conclusion and bowing them»elvesout of the arena backwards. Signor Bartolo, the contortionist, made no " bones" about his business, but went through a series of positions that must almost have astonished himself, now resting on his elbows with his feet in the air, now bending backwards until his head, with upturned face, appeared between his feet, and finally finishing up by shaking bis head around on his shoulders " like a jelly on a dish," as someone present remarked. It would certainly be no misnomer if this performer adopted tne title of "the indiarubber man," for he seema to have more of the nature of caoutchouc about him than ordinary flesh, and as for bones—well he simply has none. Several tumbling acts were skilfully performed by the acrobats, of whom there are nine altogether. The evolutions on the horizontal bar and the slack-wire balancing feats were excellent, and showed more than average ability, as did also a daring performance on the double trapeze, which was one of the best things of the evening. An astonishing balancing feat by Messrs Bartolo and Woodward concluded the first part, and was greatly appreciated. Mr Woodward balancee in his belt a pole some twenty-five feet long, which Bartolo ascends with the agility of a cat, and assumes most difficult postures at the top, one of which is swimming in the air with his abdomen resting on the end of the pole, and another hanging head downwards holding on meanwhile by his feet only. The clowns were each very good, and provided a fund ot merriment, their business having the advantage of being for the greater part fresh. The performance concluded with a spectacular piece entitled " The Harvest Home," introducing an old English steeplechase, the representation of which created considerable amusement, and was loudly applauded. Tonight a change of programme will be presented, when there wiil no doubt be another bumper bouse.