BARTON BROS.' CIRCUS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4155, 4 February 1916, Page 7

BARTON BROS.' CIRCUS.

AN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME

MATINEE THIS AFTERNOON

The opening performance last night of Barton Bros.’ Circus, which is vlocated on a site in Gladstone Road, was highly successful. The programme presented was a varied one, and contained some of the best circus items which have ever been seen in. Gisborne, and the highly trained horses added greatly to the splendid effect created by a really good combination of artists. Before the doors opened a very large crowd witnessed a startling and sensational open-air act by Mr'Victor Dentine, a member of the company. This consisted of sliding on a wire rope from the top of the tent into a net below, a distance of 200 feet, suspended only by his teeth. This performance aroused great enthusiasm, and proved a novel and effective advertisement, for the crowd poured into the tent to see the rest of the show which, in originality and sensationalism, fully maintained tlio good impression already created. Th e clever -work of Moe Arrans, the clown, was highly appreciated by the younger folk and his clever quips and jokes roused much merriment. The two Shands, in their Olympian riding act, performed some astonishing equestrian and balancing work. Mr Roy Barton, the popular circus jockey rider, and Miss Katie Montgomery also performed some very clever equestrian work. Mr Barton’s bareback display with three horses won him great applause: Captain. Tex .McCloud, described as the only genuine Mexican cowboy who has over toured the Dominion, did some very tricky lassooing and rope manipulating, tying his assistant hand and foot with iialf-hitelies thrown on the rope from the other side of the ring. Included iu Ills act was some fine sharpshooting and knife-throwing. Mr Shancl made a great appeal with the performance of liis' splendidly-trained handsome' Hungarian pony, “Suvcr King,” who does some clover handkerchief work, untying knots, etc. '•'Alien,” the lady juggler, and Master Linsey Barton were also warmly welcomed. The big ‘‘turn” of tlio programme was the fearless pertonnarce of the ‘‘Three Dentines, ’ who make a specialty of aerial trapeze work in which, as their name implies, they literally hang on with their teeth. The audience was roused to a oreat pitch of enthusiasm at the- culminating point of ■ these daring performers’ exhibition when two of them, hanging from a trapeze, supported with their teeth a young lady, who, also hearing her full weight on her teeth, revolved in the air at the rate of 160 revolutions per minute. This clever troupe received a well-merited ovation. A comical act well worth mentioning was that of Coco and Chico, the “human chimpanzees,” whose original and amusing antics aroused much merriment.

To conclude the programme the management put on an excellent display of' buckiumping. The bucking horse “Tornado,” who it was announced had never been ridden by anyone outside the circus was brought in, and Tommy James, the recognised champion roughrider of. Australasia, gave an exciting exhibition of roughriding which has seldom been equalled. Riding with a flat saddle, without pads or stirrups, he rode the fiercelybucking horse to a standstill. Another horse was then brought on, which was named “Reject,” appropriately enough, having been rejected from the Expeditionary Forces as unmanageable. Volunteers were then called for to ride the outlaw and a sovereign was offered to the man who could stay on its back for half a minute. Two local riders answered to the call, and were promptly got rid of by tbe outlaw. Two more riders volunteered, and it was arranged that they should have their chance to-night. Local riders will also be called for to-night to ride any one of the three outlaws, Tornado, Reject and Live Wire. ... A special -matinee will be given this afternoon, commencing at 2.15, and also to-morrow afternoon. Special prices will be charged for children, wlio will he admitted to any part of the huge marquee for the small &unt of 6d.