AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 64, 11 March 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

BARTON’S CIRCUS. Barton’s Circus is not an old established institution Abut it ha.s snown long enough for; the I people ot Stratford to realise that when its posters appear on their hoardings they can look forward to something really good —a genuine circus, bright, sparkling, and original—one to which they can take the children, and one m which they can revive the memory of the first time they heard the clown crack his joke, and .the ringmaster his whip. Thus it was on Saturday evening, though the rain poured down in torrents outside, a,goodly number of people, young and old, gathered insido the canvas,' followed the various turns to the concluding star item, with interest, wonderment, and keen appreciation. . , ■The fun commences with the grand parade—not a mere procession, hut a stately dance with all the horses, of the tronne engaged. Then Tybell and Pedro, from the' top of the tent, : disdaining the safety of a net, perform ,on - the, trapeze, swinging by, their •j>cech,; r as, li monkey would by its tail on the topmost branches of the forest tide. ' La' Bells Zinda, a sinuous damkal’i pirouettes on the steel cord as a dancer (would, ini the halhjoom. Later, she shows her versatility by riding a bicycle in extraordinary positions, earning rounds of applause by her dexterity and skill. Alicia manipulates plates, halls, tennis racquets, and bottles, with grace and precision. “Silver Queen,” the Hungarian pony, is as beautiful as it is intelligent. A well-trained pony makes a circus, and in this dainty little animal Mr; Lartbii 'has a Valuable asset.;; When; Toni Torn trotted in,to the view of the audh .nice . thq diminutive animal excjted . pinch Admiration. "With the clown and (lummy 'supporting him, he kept jthe audience in a merry mood for quite' a long time, and provided one of the features of the evening? The musical Travarcs present a turn, that would -hot ’disgrace a high-clasS vaudeville entertainment. A greyhound leaps over a hurdle held some fifteen or sixteen feet in the air, and a hoy contortionist goes through some intricate evolutions in masterly fashion. In addit on, there is the ring work with the circus Imrse. This is indispensable to a real circus, and Barton’s have tho horses and the riders capable of doing the work ns it ought to be done, their efforts being as good as any .we have yet seen. But the “star” item is Mounier and Jhanz, strong men, and jiu-jitsu experts. That their strength is real enough, was proved by the fact that two local men ’■'f cons’derable strength coaild only just put up the 2601 b. bar which one of the giants played with. Their exhibition of physical culture came as a perfect revelation to many, while their wrestling bout a la Japanese was a willing and excit'ng one. Last they performed their thrilling item, well-termed the “bridge of death.’ Two planks were laid on the ground, the far ends resting on their bar© Ifacks. A motor-car, crowded with persons, was then driven slowly across the planks. As a sensational test of the superhuman strength of these men a finer turn could not have been devised.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Saturday evening’s large audience at His Majesty’s Theatre witnessed the week’s programme for the last time. To-night a rather big change takes place, when twelve pictures will be screened, amongst which are some fine photo Mays. “The Silent Call” is a most thrilling story of Parisian life and adventures. “On the Warpath,” another of the stars, depicts now a small boy defends his home against feaiful odds and hostile Indians. A very beautiful educational film entitled “Wonders of Crystallisation,” should attract a great deal of interest, as it is the best of its kind. The rest of the pictures are of the latest, and all are new films. The comic section is excellent. New incidental music by the .Symphony Orchestra will be rendered throughout the performance.