FITZGERALDS’ CIRCUS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1617, 25 February 1903, Page 32

FITZGERALDS’ CIRCUS

Tlio popularity of a circus Avitli a large section of tlio amusement-IoA mg public was amply , demonstrated on Monday -night, when, despite other attractions, the spacious quec. in Avhich Fitzgeralds circus performed Avas crowded in every part. The programme presented Avas attractUe and diversified, and contributed to by an array of highly-skilled performers ; AA'bile the disphiy of equine training aa’us equal to tlio best expectations. Tlio -performance opened Avith tlie “cycle Avliizz,’’ in which a marvellous exhibition of trick riding on bicycles Avas given by the DelaA'ales, Shand and West. The feats Avhich they performed Avero truly AA'O-nderful, and gained repeated rounds of applause. Hadji Tabar, a youthful Arab, acquitted himself in a series of intricate acrobatic achieA r ements apparently Avitliout the slightest effort. Air J. West’s performance Avitli the .“pyramid of. chairs" also displayed a very high degree of acrobatic skill. The various equestrian items AA'ith Avhich the entertainment Avas interspersed Avere a marked feature, and amply merited the commendations bestowed on them. In this respect the performances of the St. Leons were conspicuous. The tricks of the ponies Barbolie, Barbette, Oscar and Commodore, and of the elephant Lizzie acorcled unlimited amusement to the audience and a pointed exemplification of the triumph of man 0A r er the beast. Tlio same might be said ef the tiger-and-liorse performance, in Avhich tlie saA’ago denizen of the jungle- has been made so far amenable to the Avill of man as to ride .a horse around an iron-caged ring, and to execute a number of difficult jumps. Not the least popular turn was the trapeze performances of Amelia Leon and Bertie Tyler, evidencing a remarkable degree of muscular power and endurance. A South African scene, representing an attack by- Zulus on a small party of British scouts, Avas Avell depicted, and awakened reminiscences of no distant date. The scene presented Avas an admirable illustration of the. dangers by which Tommy Atkins is beset in suA-age lands Avhen dealing Avith treacherous foes; and the pathetic deA'otion to the flag and to a Avell-trained and faithful charger, even aylioii Avounded and almost helpless, evoked hearty plaudits. A series of extraordinary somersaults and other acrobatic feats Avas gene through by the Tylers, and proved thoroughly acceptable. The bell-ringing horses St. George and Silver, and the six handsome Hungarian steeds gave exhibitions of what may be done through careful training. A very fine display of high jumping by the horses Bramble and Cadet, in Avhich tho first-named topped the hurdle at Cft bin, Avere such as Avould bring gladness to the heart cf a steeplechaser, and concluded the agreeable programme. It should he mentioned that the different clowns avlio took part shoAved no small amount

of originality, and kept tlie audience in ■high good humour. Fitzgerald's Circus and Menagerie aa* ill, on the termination of the Wellington season, A'isit the following loavds : —T eatherston, 2ncl March; GreytoAvn, 3rd March; Carterton, 4th March; Masterton. sth March; Fketahuna, 6th March; and Paliiatua, 7th March. Mr Fred. Parker has gone ahead to make the necessary arrangements.