CARNIVAL OPENS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 150, 22 December 1938, Page 14

CARNIVAL OPENS

AT EVANS BAY

The dominant position occupied in human nature by curiosity was well illustrated at the opening of the Evans Bay Carnival last night when the array of amazing men and women oddities on exhibition attracted a large attendance. The" carnival was fortunate in opening on one of the few really calm and fine nights for several weeks. The curious entertainment offered is another tribute to the peculiar genius of Mr. Arthur Greenhalgh, who, year after year, somehow manages to find in the world human and animal freaks to provide attractions for the shows that he brings to Australia and New Zealand annually. With" Mr. greenhalgh the words "complete change of programme" really mean something, and those who have attended his shows in past years should not; imagine that they have seen this year's attractions or even anything like them. Perhaps one of the most fascinating features of the show is the exhibition given by the "Wonder Glass-Blowers." At the touch of. their, amazing skill molten glass is made to assume all manner of shapes...; Forced to work fast because molten glass cools and hardens rapidly, they produce in a twinkling glass ornaments in the shape of birds* vases, cradles, and so on. One of their most spectacular productions is a ship in full sail. The audience is also permitted to examine a woman's gown made entirely of glass and a glass model of the Sydney Harbour bridge. „ . x . ... The oddities on exhibition at the show include Betty Broadbent, an attractive American girl, whose distinction lies in the fact that she bears on her body scores of tattooed designs. It is claimed that she is "tattooed from neck to ankle with 465 different designs." There is also Anna John Budd, whose appearance certainly bears out Mr. Greenhalgh's claim that he (she?) "is a man on the right side and a !woman on the left." •■'.,. Dressed in Oriental robes, Chang, a Chinese man with a head little bigger than the average orange, attracted his share of attention. It is interesting to note that Chang's small size in heads is not accompanied by any discernible loss in mental vigour. With him are a clever troupe of Chinese performers. A giant amongst giant dogs, Jumbo, a member of the famous St. Bernard family, is also amongst the attractions offered. He is claimed to be the largest dog in the world. This big fellow breathes good nature and proved immensely popular with the children last night. The carnival will be continued over the holiday period.