TENT AND RING

Evening Post, Volume 105, Issue 4, 6 January 1928, Page 4

TENT AND RING

WIRTH BKOS.' CIRCUS A circus is primarily a juvenile entertainment, but because there is nearly always still something juvenile in the average adult, it has a general appeal. It was no wonder then that the opening performance of Wirth Bros.' circus last evening was given before a large audience. The circus is in Webb street, at the south end of Upper Cuba street. Those who saw the show last evening came away more than satisfied. From start to finish there was not a dull moment, and the large number of event, was staged without the slightest hitch. In addition, the spectators were treated to many thrills, and more than once in the course of the evening held their breath while some daring feat was in progress. It would lv difficult to single out any performance as being of outstanding merit among so many acts which held the attention. Among them was the exhibition of lions riding on elephants, where several lions seemed to be quite at home on the back of Jumbo. Several performing lions, under their trainer, Captain Smith, behaved more like docile cats than the savage beasts that Nature made them. This item was concluded by Mademoiselle Gulnare Hoyer entering the lions' den and dancing among the brutes. For those who preferred something less savage than_nns, the elephants probably appealed to most. Six of these, guided by Miss Eileen May, acted with an understanding almost human, and obeyed orders, marching and countermarching with precision. Clever as the elephants were, they had strong rivals in Pallenbarg's three bears, which walked on stilts, pushed children's scooters, rode rocking horses and bicycles with ease, and concluded by skating with facility. Those who like good horses found plenty to interest them. Several white Arab steeds, trained by Miss Gladys, were quite at home in the ring, and did their work intelligently. Miss Gladys also presented Duke, a black charger, which skipped as well as any boy or girl, and waltzed prettily. Miss Doris, under whose care were four animals, showed the spectators "how easy it is to train horses." There was also, of course, plenty of bareback and trick riding. Miss Madeline showed she is a graceful riding butterfly dancer, and Mr. Alfred Clarke juggled on horseback with skill. Tableaux were presented by Miss Doris and her golden statue horse Queenie. The acrobatic part of the entertainment is prominent. Chico and Grace, styled as a lazy acrobat and a dainty lady, performed some neat work, and the equestrian Clarkes made a rej volving trapeze look ridiculously safe. Mr. Hilary Long is also on the programme as a master of head balancing. The juggling • and balancing Zanettos threw knives and clubs around without fear, and what is more, caught them. Trick riding was done by Chester Dick, who is styled as the Indian cyclist marvel. He rides all varieties of cycles, and negotiates a staircase and a barrage of flames. The strong man, Redman Co, is much in evidence. He lifted weights and, assisted by three partners, performed interestingly. Of course, there were clowns, four in number, who helped to make the time pass quickly. It is certainly a show worth seeing.