FITZGERALD BROS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2262, 8 July 1897, Page 39

FITZGERALD BROS.

COMBINED Circus & Menagerie. THEIR INTENTIONS. IN WINTER QUARTERS. (From the Albany Advertiser, W.A , Saturday, May 29, 1897.) The Eeason 1896-97 of this well-known circus csased at Albany ou May 25, after an 18 months' tour of Australasia. It will be remembered that that these enterprising Australian showmen seb sail from Auckland, New Zealand, iv June, 1895, &nd travelled round the world in search of noveUies for their Australian patrons. The success of their new London Company which they brought back with them waa tremendous Everywhere they were greeted with highest encomiums from both press and public, nnd among the artists engaged were Mdllo Antonio from the London Aquarium. Proi'eAsoj: Peart, "the champion high direr o€ the world," th« marvellous brothers "Eclair" from Parii, La Balls Rose, the ncrobatio Altons, aud Mahomet "The Talking Horse." These attractions in the Australian colonies proved the judgment of the energetic brothers, being met on all sides with unbounded enthusiasm. Their name is a household word throughout tho Austr%lias, and well do such managers deserve ic. The last few month;) have been spent in n. f-our of Western Australia, ranging from Fr6mxntle to Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie, Bulong, Kanowna, Bro»d Arrow, thenoe to|the Murchison, Cue, Mount Magnet, the intervening towns being risited with undoubted success. In fact the whole trip has been a triumphant suoonss. Money flowed into their coffers, and tha publics gQnorftUy expressed themselves as highly 'delighted with the combination brought to theic doors. To come right down to the present, Mr Dan Fitzgerald, the senior partner of the firm, lefr, Albany on Saturday, April - 17, by tho 11 M.S. Ophir on another trip round the world in order to secure the best artistes and artists obtainable for an extended tour of Australasia. Any novelties or sensations which money nan purchase are to be arranged for. Mr Fitzgerald' landed at Naples on May 14 ; thence he proceeded to Vieim* and Berlin, where he is ab present; located, aud where he is advertising throughout Germauy and the Continent for talent. His indentions are to engage nothing but the very best talent available for tbo forthcoming Australasian tour. From Berlin he will next piooeed to Copenhagen, Paris, Belgium, Spain, and locating for a time in Madrid ; Inter ou will travel through Barcelona, Valeucia, &o. In fact, wherever a performance of any description i« going on, whether circus, theatre, continental or outdoor exhibitions, Mv Dan will be on the spot looking for the lateac Attractions. From there he will proceed to England, travelling the provinces, Scotland and Ireland ; then back to London, where hia headquarters will be the Bra office. From this well-known centre he will send to Australia the pick of English and continental artistes ; and should he succeed in perfecting his plans, he may also send performing elephants and other animals, which he thinks he may be able tv secure from Haughenbeolc, of Hamburg. The wholdof the combination will first arrive iv Albany, where a general reorganisation will take place, and the initial bow to tho people of Australia will be made here. Mr Torn Fslz^erald is located here in winter quarfcere.' A farm has been purchased 1£ mile from Albany, and during tho residence here of Mr Fiizgerald and his trainers fresh horses will ba broken in, new w&ggons aud animal cages built, fiddlers, liarnois-makery, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, painters, decorators, and upholatemra ■Till have their tiauc tully occupied in rnsking the necessary preparatioin'or the opening of this enti rely new combination. In the initial opening of a huge concern of this description — or we should say rc-openiug — everything will and must be new, bright, and attractive. Mr Tom Fitzgerald will personal!? superintend the whole -~>i the arrangement", so that wo may expect to »«e the show of 1897-93 a bigger success, and of even greater magnitude, than that recently provided by these energetic catereri. It is proposed to inaugurate the season on or aboub September 1, 1897, and with such an amount of energy, vigour displayed, and capital used freely, the combination should prova a tremendous "draw for tho amusementloving public of Australasia. The general intention is to play throughout the colonies, New Zealand, and Tasmania, the Fitzgerald Bros, using their own special trains and steamers to accomplish the propoted tour, so that when it is announced that the Fitzgerald Bros', show is coming it may be expected with confidence that it is a show which i:as never been equalled, bristling with novelties from every country. No abler man thau Mr Dan Fitzgerald could possibly have been selected to engage talent from the old world, as his knowledge of the tastes of the colonial public, for which he has so long and successfully catered, should be a sufficient guarantee of his ability in that direction. The band next season will be under the able conductorship of Here Yon Der Mehden, the popular cornet soloist, and will be in every respeofe better thau ever* The agents' department will again be under tHe supervision of Mr John Morris, undoubtedly tho 1 ' prince of agents," with a well-qualified and additional staff. The printing will alio be a 'feature of next season, all new pictorial and suitable matter being ipecially imported from England and Amerioa. Mr Frank N. Jones will retain his old position as press representative, &nd wa I feel sure that all the old friends of the press .and a goodly number of the publio will do all in their power to further the interests of these leading Australian showmen,