The Circus

Southland Times, Issue 18057, 29 January 1903, Page 2

The Circus

Tho large tent on Roches paddock was well filled last evening on the occasion of tho re-appearance of Messrs Fitzgerald Bros." circus and menagerie in lnvercargill, after an absence of two years. Tho menagerie occupied the smaller tent, and contains some exceedingly interesting wild animals, which one feels glad to examine from tho safe side of the iron cages. The Fitzgorahl Bios' havo evidently spared no pains to bring some noveltios with thorn, and that their entertainment was a success must be due to the fact that utmost every item, though wu.uy are familiar to circus goers, contained this element of novelty, either in improvements on the olil stylo or in the new manner of accomplishing it. The horses, ore a beautiful lot, and though a bit fresh after their voyage, went through their movements very creditubly. Six beautiful black Hungarian horses, decorated with military plumes, went 'through a scries of evolutions, and presented a capital tableau at the finish. Tho piebald pony. Commodore had an amusing fivo minutes with the clowns, and then accompanied the elephant Jumbo in a fantastic march round the ring. What is described as one of tho finest acts of horse training is the exhibition given by tho war horso St. Just. The scene represents an attack on two British soldiers by a band of Zulus, resulting in both men being left for dead on the field, and the horse badly injured. One of the men revives sufficiently to got to his horse, but as he cauuol mount tho intelligent animal pushes him on his journey to safety. The trick ponies Barbelle and Barbette were put through a number of evolutions nicely, and^were both amusing-, and surprising. Miss Amy St. Leon and Mr L. St. Leon shared the honours for equestrianism, producing their picturesque riding acts in tho most marvellous stylo and exhibiting wontlorful command over the animals. What may perhaps bo considered the greatest sensation was tho " Cycle whizz " by by the four" Melbournes." The track is simply a small circular enclosure, fenced with boards sloping ojitwards at an angle of (55 degrees. The cyclists career round this at a tremendous pace, passing and repnssing one another, and taking liberties with the track and machines that argue the possession of an unusual amount of nerve by the riders. It is a wonderful exhibition, and was deservedly applauded for its originality and cleverness. Mr .1, West showed some clever balancing on a pyramid ol chairs, neatly and without ostentation. Miss Amelia I^con and Master Bertie Tyler gave an exhibition of trapeze and Roman ring work, tho lady especially earning commendation for her excellent performance. The Arabian wonder" Hadji Tabar," a contortionist, astonished everybody by the elasticity and suppleness of his body, and— the remarkable manner in which he can twist himself into all shapes. The Tylers, father and son, were particularly good in Risley acts, introducing single and double somersaults on the feet, and some clever hand work. A grand exhibition of high jumping by two fine horses Bramble and Cadet was one of the most interesting items of the series. Both horses cleared some remarkably high jumps. Bramble finally topping G 'eet. Herr Zaph reintroduced his tiger and horse sensation. "Kitty" riding tho horse "Bobbie" round the steel-enclosed arena, performing a number of leaping" tricks and jumping hurdles. Kitty is a fine-looking specimen and appears to be on the best of terms with Bdbble. The clowning w a s in the capable hands of Jonps (clown) and West (dummy) and they contrived to find many opportunities to firo oil their original jokps and puns. On the whole it can safely bo said that the performance is an excellent one, and as it is possibly that there will, be tv dearth of entertainments in Invercargill for soino' time to come, it should' bo well patronised apart from its merits.

A matinee performance will be given this afternoon, and in the evening, there will be tho final appearance.