HARMSTON'S SHOW.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11130, 24 January 1899, Page 3

HARMSTON'S SHOW.

CFRPUS AND MENAGERTF.. "Hi! Iloup-la!" and punctiv.lly to time you find the programme in' full swing, with a sea of faces before you watching with the deepest interest the (lashing- and fascinating leaps. This circus of Harmston's is right i\p to date, and you set every bit of your moneys worth, and more, for you are bewildered by the host of items following each other in such quick succession. Anil they are first-class items, too, the best of their kind, with high-salaried artists to provide the amusement. The programme is distinctly entertaining, and you leave the spacious tent with the verdict, " A <*ood show." There is variety galore, from acrobatic violinists to hurricane hurdle acts, and from spinning hats to performing elephants, with not too much of the "horse" business, which may have pleased the grand-dad, but makes you tired ere the programme is half through. That is the beauty of this show— you don t get tired ; on the contrary, the programme is so roploto with novelties that, with the children, you wish it wasn't, over so soon. When you are told that 58 strangers to the placo accompany the circus an idea will be got of its vastness, and of the number of people who take part in the programme. Last night every item was worth seeing, which is saying a lot, for some circus feats were performed in the Ark, and ain't worth troubling about. But Harmston knows that nothing but the best will take. That best "took" last night immensely. Four ladie3 and one gent, open the programme in an " Entree la follie," which explains itself, and then Stewart Bros, do some clever fooling with musical instruments. Then, by way of a change, Kate Montgomery gives you some very entertaming " flip-flap " riding, with a " Risley Act by Hakata and Kota following This is brilliantly done, and probably one of the best things seen under canvas for a long time. P. Harmston performs a hurricane hurdle act, Cuzco and Willie throw and spin hats, Mr P. Montgomery introduces a jumping stallion, and then a perfect bevy of artists, male and female, go through some dazzling acts on ."Imperial ladders," which forms a very attractive feature of the show. You have barely finished admiring these daring feats when a babe elephant is introduced by Rudolf Strief, who has his pet under full control, and can make it do almost anything, from olimbing a pole to rolling down the side of a house. The Aldeans give you some fun in a gymnasium, Mr Montgomery's 1 Arab stallions have a turn, Miss Ruby Scarsdale flies through the air on a trapeze, and the first part ooncludes with a double jockey act by F. Harmston and Gilbert Eldred. You are told that these are the only two performers in creation who can do this feat, and after seeing them you don't doubt it. The battoue leaping, led by Gilbert Eldred, in which a gay array of acrobats leap over a field of horses, turning several somersaults the while, fittingly opens the second part. After G. W. Stewart has accomplished his high school riding, the Aldeans again appear with interesting items, and then Mdllo. Annette, Blanche) Brandon, Laing, Scarsdale, and Nellie Harmston-Love present a decided novelty in their Indian club swinging. Harry Dicks^on does a four-horse picture act; Hashinoto performs the best slide wire act seen south of the line; three amusing people called Rudolph, George, and Johnny followed with comicalities on chairs, while an American donkey is also brought in to vary the programme, which ' is concluded by Herr Oelkera entering t the den of the Royal Bengal tiger, an , immense monster, reputed to be the , largest tiger in the world in captivity. [ The beast is made to perform various . jumping feats, under the whip of his s trainer, whose daring performance is watched with bated breath. ( The menagerie interests patrons before ! the programme commences. Fresh j novelties will be presented to-night, and to-morrow afternoon the kiddies' will be catered for, when there will be a matinee, commencing at 2.30, to which childreil will be admitted at half price.