Large Crowd Enjoys Sole Bras Irons

Northern Advocate, 11 March 1948, Page 6

Large Crowd Enjoys Sole Bras Irons

All the thrills, the varied entertainment. the glamour and the blight lights of the sawdust-strewn ring beneath the "big top" were evident in Whangarei last night when Sole Brothers circus commenced a four-night visit.

Although the exigencies of war anci post-war conditions have made inroads into the ancient circus art, the entertainment last night retained in great measure, the standards of prc-wai years, and it was fully satisfying to the large crowd which attended. Long denied the pleasures so much enjoyed by the children of a generation ago, the youngsters —the majority seeing their first circus—responded to the lure which this type of entertainment has always possessed for youth. I heir pleasure was obvious. And those no longer young had their memories refreshed as they again saw the traditional acts in an atmosphere only a circus can produce, recapturing their enthusiasm with consequent enjoyment. STARS OF THE SHOW

Except in the dressing. Sole Brothers have succeeded in maintaining the reputation established on many visits to New Zealand. The girls have their, spangles and bright dresses and the clowns are as outrageously dressed as usual, but the male performers and the attendants have not the smartness of dress that gives extra finish to the presentation.

This, however, does not detract from the quality of the acts, some ol which are exceptional. Star of the show is Joe Eroni, almost a circus in himself as he appears in a number of roles ranging' Irom a fine performance on the tight wire to the humble, but difficult, role oi clown.

Ably assisting him is his brother Charles Eroni, a versatile performer in the many guises in which he appears, and the most able of the clowns.

The audience was delighted with the performance of the Eroni brothers on the tight wire, and they were also thrilled with the fine balancing of the Ridgways. RAPID-FIRE ENTERTAINMENT

Also capturing particular attention was the performance oi' Dimpy St Leon on the flying trapeze, while in association with Dorothea Williams in a double trapeze act he earned further acclaim. Miss Williams also proved an exceptionally able contortionist. These were only some of the highlights in a lengthy and entertaining programme. Horses, ponies, dogs, monkeys and elephants, tumblers, acrobats, riders and the übiquitous clowns all combined in providing a rapid-fire show, the acts following each other without delay. The circus will continue until Saturday night.