O'NEILL'S COMBINED SHOWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2915, 26 January 1910, Page 70

O'NEILL'S COMBINED SHOWS.

Oil tIK? Southern Oval on Monday evening * *e««»vs E. O’NVill .uni M. M'Mafccm’s com- ‘ -;c<l show's c>f and cirt-.ia ]>or--;,>.>rs fiponod a Pnnodin twason nndwr ;) re mining i* <! i tl ii -on-?- An iiudiwio* •• !-*»!>"»rit'-jr c»vn«l hundiwi# nwsjpiiwl «v-e.r,r , ;it terror itno'or the biff epread 01

canvas, and the management was placed in • the position cf having to turn money away. The equestrian show which Mr O'Neill has on previous occasions brought to Dunedin had a good deal of outstanding merit about it, but the effecting of a combination -with Mr M'Mahon, entailing the addition of a host of circus performers, Maori dancers, etc., has given" the show a strength and general excellence which are undoubted. This fact was amply demonstrated on the occasion of the first appearance here of the combined allows last evening. Buekjumping horses and equestrianism, as might be expected, represent a big side of the evening's entertainment, ■but if an indication of the popular fancy may be taken from last night's audience, the management could not put forward too much of it. The lengthy programme commenced with the introduction* to the ring of two bucking bullocks, which promptly, and to the great hilarity of the audience, unseated every rider who came forward. As ringmaster, Mr Ernest O'Neill then brought forward at intervals horses of- varying sizes and temperaments, from the highly-trained and dooile pony Sandow to the uncontrollable and fearsome Maori Jack. A general invitation 1 found but one rider who was able to retain his seat in the saddle, while an additional horse, ridden bareback, defied all attempts with apparent ludicrous ease. Volunteers were forthcoming' in large numbers, and the amount of fun to be derived from this particular part of the performance can only be thoroughly appreciated by seeing it. Mr O'Neill himself put aside all doubt as to his own riding capabilities in a splendid exhibition of buekjumping, while other riders which the combination possesses also amply demonstrated their skill and daring. In response to a general request the famous, or rather notorious, Maori Jack was brought into the ring, and after a good deal of manoeuvring was successfully ridden barebaclcb.y one of the members of the troupe. An exceedingly pioturesque performance is that given by a troupe of about 30 Maori warriors and maidens, wh» hail from the Rotorua district. Dressed! in true Maori fashion, they contributed hakas and poi dances in a manner that at once fascinated the audience. The opening haka was a most impressive effort, and' one that was calculated to strike terror into the hearts of everyone present. The grace and music of the .poi dance, with its accompanying weird but strangely sweet chant, was strikingly by the Maori maidens, bedecked in typical native raiment. The troupe, as a whole, is an admirably selected one, and the. performance given has a great deal of charm about it. A most interesting event was the jumping of two greyhounds to extraordinary heights and lengths, one of the latter measuring, it was announced, 23 feet from the take-off to where the dog landed. The company includes strong men, contortionists, acrobats, tight-Tope walkers, etc. The Apollo Brothers, both men of b!g physique, give an excellent performance of heavy-v/eight lifting and juggling with dumbells and barbells. The concluding item is the sustaining on his chest by one of the brothers the combined weights of six men, ranging in weight from 'l2 to 14 storja each. An exhibition of the same order is given by Bert Lewis, who lifts ponderous weights with apparent <saee. Ethel, a lady contortionist, showed witn considerable success on two occasions.' on the latter of which she performed what is styled the double dislocation set, apparently a highly •dangerous and difficult accomplishment. Miss Nellie Lyndhurst is a clever and dainty equestrienne, arid is equally at homo on the tiathi-rope. Will Clair undertakes soma difficult stupendous somersaults off a spring-board over the backs: .of five horses, and performs his feats unerringly. A couple of clown© provide unlimited amusement, and tlue concluding item is the popular "Fun in the SfookyaTd," in which bucking horses, donkeys, and bullocks are hurried into the ring and mounted by a swarm or simall boys, who are orr the ground almcst immediately they reach an animal's back. The fun is _ fast and furious, and is a fitting conclusion to the show. From first to last, the performance ariven last eveninsr was an- eminently satisfactory one. and anyone in que=A of genuine amusement and a good laugh should not fail to view it.