WIRTH’S CIRCUS

Evening Star, Issue 22202, 3 December 1935, Page 3

WIRTH’S CIRCUS

AN EXCELLENT SHOW The glitter and glamour of the sawdust ring lias an irresistible lure for young and old alike, and to New Zealanders_J.iio word circus is synonymous with Wirth’s, and that also is a guarantee of the best in the way of variety entertainment. It is two years since Wirth’s Circus last pitched its tents in Dunedin, and the opening performance of the present season on the Caledonian Ground last night indicated .that Wirth’s is as rich as ever in the brightness, originality, and quality or 'its acts, and a large audience enjoyed every minute of a show which went with a swing from start to finish. Many former favourites are back with Wirth’s, but there are new faces and new and original acts. Wirth’s has always been noted for the quality of its animal acts, but it is doubtful if a higher standard has been reached than is the case this year. They are all well presented, and something new in this class of entertainment is provided by Frohn’s sea lions, whose performance is one of the brightest parts of the programme. “ Carbine, claimed to be the largest trained sea lion in the world, had already had the “ freedom of the city ” conferred upon him, and he does not have to be in the ring long to demonstrate that ho is a “star” in his own right. His feats of balance are amazing, and while he joins his smaller confreres in some lively work with a beach hall and an ordinary rubber hall, which they balance on the end of their noses, he later performs the much more difficult feat of climbing a ladder with a lamp perched on his nose and then waddling down the other side without in any way disturbing it. Yet another indication of his remarkable sense of equilibrium is the way he balances on his nose a stick with a ball on the end of it. It is feeding time for the sea lions, and the speed with which they make a meal of fish >is as surprising as it is amusing. / Performing tigers may not be rarities altogether, but they are oddities, and it is not often that such well-trained animals are seen as those who were put through a number of evolutions by Captain, Flyger. The usnal posing and balancing feats were followed by hurdling and the ever-popular and spectacular°leap through the lighted hoop. Captain Flyger, who is a New Zealander, handles'his tigers with the nonchalance that the average person would a cat, and this despite the fact that during a performance in Melbourne some time ago he was attacked by one of them and rather badly injured. Mr Harry Mooney puts a troup of large-sized elephants through many intricate movements, which they perform with mili-tary-like precision, and the introduction of several bright novelties makes this an enjoyable and instructive act. The huge beasts display almost human intelligence in following the commands of their skilful trainer, and capping off a fine turn Mr Mooney later presents two midget' elephants in a game of skittles. There are other worth-while attractions among the animal acts, especially the equestrian turns. These are excellent, one of the best- being the act by Miss Nellie Connelly and Mr Philip Wirth, jun. ■ They make a very difficult turn look easy, and that only high-class performers can do. Miss Gladys Wirth rides Duke in a series of skipping, waltzing, and dancing turns, and she displays the same fine horsemanship that seems to be- inherent with all the Wirths. Fredga Zilamham also presents a good equestrian act. Danny D’Alma and his performing geese and dogs provide bright numbers, the acrobatic fox terriers being very well trained. One of the most amusing acts on the programme is that in which the monkeys race around the ring on the ponies, this being presented by Mr Philip Wirth, jun. Wirth’s is fortunate in being able to call upon so many talented acrobats, for this is always a popular side of a circus programme. The Seven Hiltons in a thrilling footballers’ springboard act combine acrobatic skill with extreme daring; little Tich being the particular star in this number, his triple somersault from a springboard into a chair being a masterpiece of timing. The whole of the work of this athletic troupe is of a very high order, while the balancing, tumbling, flying novelties, skipping in mid-air, and such-like of the Seven Nelsons are also outstanding. The Seven De Paul girls engage in whirlwind tumbling, lightning-like pyramids, and contortion acts, and theirs is one of the most colourful turns on the programme. Miss Eh Star is a contortionist of great ability, her most' pleasing performance being characterised by grace and perfect balance. The ladder act by the Two Tramps is a clever gymnastic turn, and no circus would be complete, of course, without its clowns. Wirth’s is very well served in this respect, for the clever fooling and “ gags ” of the clowns kept the audience in happy mood between the acts.

The perform a uce will be repeated tonight and during the week, and each afternoon from 4 to 5 the zoo will be open. A feature is “ Lady Betty,” said to be the only gorilla in captivity in the world. She is 4J years old, stands 6ft 3in, and weighs 8f stone, and is reputed to be almost human.