ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 46, 6 February 1920, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WIRTHS’ NEW CIRCUS. One of the greatest and most popular of Australia's institutions is Wirths’ magnificent circus, which for forty years nas been entertaining the people of the comT.mnwealtb with companies of famous artists bnught from all the capitals of the world, regardless of expense. Ine whole of the great circus ami menagerie owned by Wirth Brothers Limited, with all its thrilling, amusing and educational features, is coming to Hastings on February 9, opening at 2.J0 in the afternoon, and evening at 8 p.m. Doors open one hour earlier The whole of the programme will be shewn, exactly as that presented at Sydney. The Eddy Duo marvels on the silver wire, turning somersaults, is the only one in the world to do this trick. The Cevine Troupe of four ladies and two gentlemen will appear in a, whirlwind wirewalking and dancing act entitled • ‘‘The Maniacs of the Wire ” in which piey move at such speed that they require two parallel wires to give room for the whole company to perform at once. The Three Garcias will he seen in acrobatic feats that are the wonder of three continents. The Zandil Sisters, in a butterfly ballet in midair. suspended by cords held in their teeth, will give a performance so beautiful that beholders wi’l faardly think of its danger. The Flying Winskills will leap through the airi pirouetting and somersaulting, from one swinging trapeze to another, ’while, their Charlie Chaplin clown keeps the audience in paroxysms of laughter. Leo Montfort. circling the Loop of Death, will show what be alone of all men has been able, to do, two of his would-be imitators having been killed in the attempt. Tox Bailey s living statutary animals will be seen again in an entirely new set of classical and topical poses. La Belle Onra. a beautiful woman with the strength of a lioness, will execute graceful and daring feats on the ] high trapeze. Last but not least Silly Danny the clown, with his flock of performing geese, will demonstrate to all and sundry that “Therejs method in his madness.” The menagerie will be open from 4 to 5 p.m. when the wild animals will be fed. WILLIAMSON GRAND OPERA. “LA BOHEME.” Once again the J. C. Williamson firm is sponsoring grand opera in New. Zealand. On Friday evening next. February 13tb. the organisation will visit Hastings and give a performance of Puccini s fascinaV ing and absorbing opera, "La Boheme. The cast will include the artiste who wop much commendation during the recent highly, successful Melbourne, Sydney, and Wellington seasons. They are Miee Amy Castles. Miss Eileen Castles, Mr. Walter Wheatley. Mr. Carl Formes. Mr. Alfredo Valenti. Mr. Fred Collier and Mr. Tom Minogue. In the seasons of remarkable success achieved by the Williamson grand opera in Wellington and Christchurch, it | would perhaps be invidious to attempt distinguishing as to the respective merits of the list of triumphal productions. Be as it may it is said that those who witnessed the staging of “La Boheme” were practically unanimous that, if not worthy of first place, none of the other pieces could be conscientiously placed in that position. The enchanting strains of “La Boheme” with its constant change of rhythm and accent are said to exert little short of a spell that reaches the heart in an unaccountable fashion. The grand opera chorus (50) and full operatic orchestra will be I under the baton of Mr. Gustave Slapoffski,' who was specially brought to Australia to conduct grand opera. He will direct a body of instrumentalists, whose merit has rarely been heard in Hastings. The box plan will be opened on Monday, at 9 a.m., at Messrs. Hall and Sons.