WOODYEAR'S ELECTRIC CIRCUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6815, 20 September 1883, Page 5

WOODYEAR'S ELECTRIC CIRCUS.

The large pavilion at the Market-house, erected by Mr. Woodyear for the purpose of. this entertainment, was crowded last night,. The crush of people at the entrance was. rather severe on those Who had not taken care to arrive early, There Was some disappointment in not seeing the elect ic light in full "blaze," but Mr, Love apologised for this deficiency at a later hour in the evening.There was an attempt to raise the "light, Vs. but it appeared that a particular part Of the engine was misled before, during, or after, the voyage from America, There was a promise, however, given that the electric': light would illumine the circus, and f a P*r pro.'iches some time during the season. .'As to the entertainment itself, some parts of it possess special merit. We allude more par-, ticularly to the " vaulting," in which Messrs. King, Duvalli, Max Rinkle, and Cousins were conspicuous. The first of these turned a double somersault while in the air. Miss Aunie Shields peiformed Borne, graceful acts on the high trapeze. The ground tumbling was also of extraordinary merit ; the number and rapidity of the somersaults were particularly noticeable. Xhiß was as good as anything of the kind seen in this town. There was a performance on the horizontal bar, by Duvalli, Gregory, and Cusco, which possessed great cleverness. Gregory's part ot it was au admirable illustration of the finest form of gymnastic exercise. Mr. Silvester's performing dogs created ■ a great deal of amusement, and Madame Zuluv(a large female baboon) went through some gro--tesque horsemanship. Mr. Jack Cousins, Mr., Alfred King, aud Mr. TalbotShields are riders of extraordinary skill and daring. . Mr.. ; Shields' feat of jumping on to a horse's back at full gallop was accomplished amidst loud, plaudits. The horses are admirably trained,.and go through some very graceful, equine, performances. Mr. Silvester was ring-,} master. The entertainment concluded with a farce, entitled "The Bear and the Sentinel,", which was replete with ludicrous effect, and caused almost convulsive laughter. There was an excellent brass band, under Mr. ; .| Gotting. The spirit oi; the circus is everything, and it was sustained ... last': n ght with energy - and success. Mr. Love ap dogißed for shortcomings on j;the. first night. There was not much need for p.pology, except that tbe intervals between, the divisions of the entertainment were, rather long. We should make special meu- : tion of two very clever clowns—Messrs., Duvalli and Max Rinkle. There was another., clown, also clever, who is called in the bills, Cusco. Everything is well done. There were between 2000 and 3000 spectators iu the pavilion. Mr. Woodyear is likely to have a vtry successful season,