WIRTHS' CIRCUS

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13997, 29 January 1916, Page 7

WIRTHS' CIRCUS

Every seat ii- the huge tont which carers Wirths' Circus and Menagerie was occupied on the occasion of the opening performance in Nelson last evening, and for two hours and a naif the vast audience thoroughly enjoyed the excellent bili of faro'provided. All I<he ace* were good, but several .wer-3 of outstanding merit, while the performances of ihe half-dozen educated seals and sea lions, trained by Captain Hilling, were undoubtedly the sensation of the" evening From the time there animals flopped into the ring until their exit, they displayed almost human intelligence in the performance of their tricks They rolled barrels, balanced balls of various sizes on their noses, rode on horseback, tossed balls ta> ctech othevv, juggled with several articles, walked up and down steps, and performed other feats. One actually walked on a tight rope, while another played '»a, selection • with elect.ric bolls. As a grand finale the seal band gave a performance, each animal playing a different instrument. Some of the seals evidently have a keen sense of appreciation,- for they; applauded with their fins "the work of their comrades in. the n\ostv generous, manner. TJiis turn is amdouMedly- one. of/ the most marvellous seen'in a circus ring, and at its conclusion Captain Hilling received rounds of applause. Another splendid animal act was that given by a troupe of performing lions,, which were born in ?\c-w Zealand two years ago, snd a gmzy bear. They'did not .behave- quite as well as the sea lions, although they went through their performance without ..a,hitch but two of their nun.bcr occasionally emitted a deep-throated roar, which added a thrill to their sensational turn. The Teddy boAr also provided much amusement with his antics. The elephants, ,five in number, went through a most interesting performance, displaying the utmost docility.. Wlifm '.they marched with dignified mien round the arena, each with his forelegs on the bade of the animal in front, they received rounds of hearty applause. Horses aro also a feature of the circus, and there were many skilful exhibitions of equestrianism. Miss jVlav Martin Wirth did a

graceful and daring bareback riding act, turning somersaults while .her .steed careered round the ring, and M. Jfussn Manner, performed a thrilling Cossack; cavalry act, throwing himseii int*v all sorts .of extraordinary positions. Other■ "iieats; of ;liqr.seinaiisi)i]> were performed, by JJan: Yelding, the American ' Indian, ' scout,-i .Alexander Christie, and other performers. A fine driving act with seven horses was alsOj carried out by Mr George Christie./.The Royal Wirth Family appeared in a novel scena. -'A Circus Modern," putting their mounts through a number of evolutions m a well-finished manner..1 Mr J. Cooke, -he ringmaster, on Bobs, a magnificent black stallion, walt/<ed to music and .{inisaed his turned by riding thrauy.ii hoops of fire. Brisbane-, the miniature raclchor.se, gavo a firu? jumping dis|-lay, and another pony performed astonishing feats from the back of a wf.g'gmi drawn round th© ring by another horse Louvain performed a number o1:-daring feats on a tight wire, including- jumping over a table and turning * a handspring. This act was also loudly applauded. The Loretta Twins, in their horizontal bar act-, gave a marvellous, gymnastic display, and appeared in the filial act with Ernestonian and JNovikoff, described as the human aeroi-lanes, in a thrilling aerial trapeze act. The performers gave a wonderful and daring display, one of the lady artists turning- a double somersult in' midair as she swung from one trtpezo and was caughti by one of the malty performers-' hanging (by his legw from the other. Each-act wasi a; star turn, -Mid the audienco demonstrated theirr appreciation with prolorigeC'--ap-lau^e. Tlioi . .fugfcedyx element \yasr pro■Vidsd b\ numerous clowns, including a clever lisiper.Monator of the popular picture con. i><knn Charlie Chaplin. There will be a matinee this afternoon, and tlie final peri'o-mance. will be gii-en to-nigl.it. For the convenience of country patrot-s the 4,30 train has been delayed until * o'clock and the 10 o'clock la-aiii until 11. ■