FITZERALDS' CIRCUS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 51

FITZERA LDS' CIRCUS.

Fitzgerald Bros.' Circus, which is well and fa^ourab'y known throughout the colonies, commenced a short season in Dunedin on Monday ! night, the oi^ening performance being given in i a fine spacious tent on the reclaimed ground at the rear of Reid and Gray's foundry. There was a very large attendance, and the programme — a lengthy and varied one — seemed to afford universal pleasure, every item being received with unmistakable signs of -approval. The circus includes a number of artists new to Dunedin, and Messrs Fitzgerald Bros., who appear to be always on the look out for novelties, also .introduce on the present occasion several new .features in their performance. The entertainment commenced on Monday night by the circus orchestra, under the conductorship of Heir Yon der Mehden, playing a few patriotic airs. Several members of the company then turned I somersaults," one after the other with great 1 rapidity, from a spring board over the backs of a number of horses, about 13 animals being brought into the ring before the act was completed. Among the acrobats was Mr W. R. 1 Duckworth, a wonderful leaper, who seemed to be able to turn double somersaults almost as easily as winking. Mr F. M. Jones, who also possesses the same talent in a remarkable degree, concluded the act by turning a double somersault over 25 guns and fixed b?3 r onets, 1 the feat, which seemed a daring and difficult one, provoking loiid applause. The circus in- ■' eludes numerous highly sagacious and well trained hoises and ponies, and the tricks performed by these were all watched with interest. Among the animals were eight Broncho horses, which, in obedience to their trainer, Mr Dan Fitzgerald, went through all sorts of evolutions, and exhibited wonderful intelligence. Three or four performing ponies, which were introduced by Mr W. E. Jones, also greatly delighted the audience by their tricks, as well as surprised them by their sagacity. The equestrians in connection with the circus came in for a large share of approval. Mdllc. Ncredah Leon, who is a daring and graceful rider, rode a horse through hoops of fire, and performed other sensational feats, which elicited very warm demonstiatioris of approval. The double jockey act by Miss Daisy Shand and Master Harry Cardello, in which the artists jumped singly and together from the "ground on to the back of a pony, was also a feature in the performance which seemed to meet with genera) favour. A five-horse picture act by Mr H. St. Leon, and a very graceful equestrian act on two imported , horses by Mr G-. St. Leon and Mdlle. Leon were likewise good in their way, and much appreciated. Master Ernest Shand performed a very difficult act with a number of chairs, balancing himself in various ways on a pyramid formed of the chairs. The act was one evidently requiring the exercise of great care and cleverness, and it was watched with almost breathless interest. The Wingate Sisters, .two graceful trapezists, performed a-

double trapeze act, into which they introduced " some sensationalc features, the act concluding with the two artists descending slowly from ; nearly the top of the tent to the giound by means of a rope, which was simply twisted round one of each of their limbs. The Waldorf i Family, 12 in number, gave a pleasing exhibi- j tion, representing classical groupings of marble statuary, the effect of which was considerably t enhanced by means of the limelight. One of j the most marvellous features vi the whole per- ' forrnance was the contortion act by Miss ' Aguinaldo, who seemed to b,e able to twist her I body in almost every concert able way ; and yet all she did was done, noi only easily, but gracefully. The act concluded by Miss Aguinaldo balancing herself by her teeth, while holding the whole weight of her body in a bending position without the aid of her hands or feet. Besides other features, too numerous to particularise, there is in connection with ' the show an interesting menagerie, which includes some performing animals from Carl Hagenbeck's Zoological Circus. Among these is an elephant named Lizzie, who, in company with a Russian pony, goes through a number of feats, the elephant walking on top of a barrel | besides performing a number of other remark- ' able tricks. A tiger also rides on the back of a horse, and performs several other feats; while a large lion rides an elsphant round an enclosed arena, the act concluding with the elephant mounting a tricycle, and, with the lion still on his back, pedalling lound the enclosure. The performance wound up with an exciting steeplechase, which proved very diverting. Altogether the show is an excellent one, and the enterprise of the Fitzgerald Bros, will no doubt . meet its reward by large audiences attending, j