WIRTH BROS.' GREAT ALLIED SHOWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13210, 17 February 1905, Page 6

WIRTH BROS.' GREAT ALLIED SHOWS.

LEAPING THE CHASM.

The huge tent at the Oval in which Messrs Wirth Bros, opened once moro in Dunedin last evening a short season with their allied shows of circus and zoo was occupied by a great audience on the occasion, and the verdict is unanimous that tho whole show is a very fine one, comparing in general all-round attractiveness liiore than favourably with its predecessors of 'like nature. For close on three hours item succeeds item in rapid succession, and where all are good, and some of exceptional excellence, by tho time tho 30 separata turns on the programme have been gone through there is almost an exhaustion ot appreciative power felt by tho spectator, Many of the items are, of course, familiar, but many others are new, and all are worthy of their place on the programme, and well worth witnessing. Too much stress cannot be laid on the admirable promptitude with which the events arc got off, and there is no such thing as waiting between them. In addition to the usual ring adapted to the customary circus performances, tho big tent contains a largo circular rage or arena where wild animals go through various performances, and events for the greater part-of the evening are seen alternately in each ring. To describe all the features o[ the programme would be a lengthy process indeed, and it will suffice to call attention to the more outstanding turns. As so much has been said of Chcfalo, lie may he dealt with first. Chefalo's ono appearance in the big tent iB where lie rides on a bicycle down a long inclined plane from the top of the tent, and goes through the process of " leaping the chasm." There is at the foot of the said plane a wide gap of many feet, and as the cyclist rushes down with lightning velocity his impetus carries him safely across this on to the continuation of the plane, and out of sight. It is an exciting feat, and provoked loud applause. But it is in a separate tent at the close of the ordinary programme that Chcfalo is seen in the great sensation of looping whatis described as "Kilpatrick's Death-trap." This item.mu,st be seen to he properly realised, and it profoundly impressed the large number who witnessed it. Clad in orthodox Ifephistopbelian garb, Chefolo, on his cycle, Came shooting with tremendous velocity down a hundred feet of steep incline, extending far outside the tent, and with the enormous momentum gained shot up and around the huge loop, the trap at the bottom of which cradles back barely in time to enable the flying crimson figure to shoot out to safety after hav'ing turned a complete somersault in mid air. It is as daring and thrilling a feat as one could wish to witness, and any hitch in the working of the bottom section of the loop, or the so-callcd trap, would he attended with result's one would not care to contemplate. The loop, it must be understood, is a true circle, the cyclist traversing tho moving section on approach and exit. The feat was vociferously applauded. Corning to the other items of the programme, some very fine trapeze work is shown by the " Plying Eugenes," three in number, two members ot whom, hanging head downwards in arid-air, swinj; the third—a child—with unerring accuracy across to ono another, and the gentleman known as "Wild Friday" not only does some marvellously clever shooting feats, but, with tho assistance of a lady called Wild Rose, whom he uses as a target, gives a most clever and accurate display of dagger or bowie knifethrowing, and that even when blindfolded. A most interesting turn again is that contribute'! by Captain William M'Cloud, whose wonderfully clever ls-sso'hrowing and rope-manipu-lating was loudly.applauded; and on this item followed some interesting feats of horsemansnip by cowboys in all the picturesque trappings of their kind. Mr Tom Colquott, described as champion jumper ot the world, delighted all with his exhibition in this department, and a neater performer one would not wish to see, while he leaped incredible distances. Two largo elephants—Toliy -and Gunah Sail—v/ere brought into tho ring, and provided splendid entertainment, showing themselves wonderfully well educated; and our old friend Dummy—who was in capital form—showed off the paces of his desert ship— a well-Frown camel—to most amusing advantage. The Cantons, 'in an aerial revolving ladder act, gave an item full of elever amusement, and novel, moreover. May-azel, a child contortionist, did strange things in mid-air, Mr and Miss Piddic were seen in a clever aerial globe act, Mi3s Edith Wirtb's "~bar not" on horseback was as interesting as it well could bo, and Miss Marizle? Wirth's ■ serpentine dance on horseback and off was exceedingly pretty. Peats by the company's well-trained and beautiful horses and nonies were too numerous In mention, and Messrs Philip and George Wirth had these canitally arranged and managed; but one should not omit to mention the six-horso picture act, in which Mr Carl does Fame very clever riding. The fiigh-jummng greyhounus jumped as well as ever; and in the steel cage arena tigers, lions, dogs, and goats vent through a nnmbcr cf very interesting performances under their trainers, Mons. Rou"all and Herr Payer.' One tiger goes the length, ot riding a tricycle and smother shows its education in .horsemanship. The menagerio part of Wirth Bros', show will be found to be lnrrely increased in size, and is itself well worth a visit, some novelties bein? also included here among tile animals. The big tent is capitally lighted by electricity. Th" nature, of the nrincipal items has been indicated, but the miblic can be recommended to see tho whole-big show for themselves. An adequate orchestra is in attendance, Another performance will he given this evening, and the first matinee is announced for Saturday afternoon. •