WIRTHS’ CIRCUS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1926, Page 9

WIRTHS’ CIRCUS

A SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT. MANY VERY CLEVER "TURNS.” There is a lure about a circus which makes an irresistible appeal to the small boy and in no less measure to his elders, who sit around the sawdust ring in the glare of the arc lights and compare the programme with that of the circuses of days gone by. Beforehand one as often as not hears the old, old saying that all circuses are alike. They are to a certain degree, but when that mark is passed there is always something new. The vast crowd which patronised Wirth Brothers’ circus and zoo at New Plymouth last night found a great deal that was new and for over two and a-half hours enjoyed to the full pure circus and a host of variety acts.

With zoo and sawdust ring complete, “Wirth’s” pitched their tents on the section opposite the railway station yesterday. Lake magic the circus came into being, and last night after the performance they emulated the Arab and silently stole away. With the zoo they brought many old favourites in the performing lions, a big troupe, African and Asian leopards, tigers from Bengal, gorillas and monkeys, a wart hog of hideous appearance, a Tasmanian devil and a herd of elephants ranging in size from young fellows of a few years ago to giants nearer the century mark. With the zoo also were troupes of horses and ponies and also a zebra. It is not to be wandered at therefore, that the patrons of the show found the zoological tent a powerful attraction which only the necessity of securing a seat for the performance to follow could override.

In the programme offered last night, Professor Bells' performing seals, monkeys and a rooster stood out as being something unique. Balancing was the forte of the seals. With almost unbelievable dexterity they played with a huge ball on their noses, tossed it to and fro and generally entered into the fun of playing ball with all the zest of young children. One of the seals was also clever enough to balance a lighted lamp poised in the end of a rod. This turn alone was worth going a long way to see. The Honey family, a troupe of acrobats and tumblers comprising a man, three ladies and two boys, was another turn which was more than unsually good of its kind. Later the lady members appeared in a dental whirl act, in the course of which they twisted and turned in spectacular fashion above the heads of the audience, their sole grip on the aerials being through the medium of their teeth. The Carmella trio were jugglers who well earnect the plaudits given them. No circus would be complete without its clowns. "Wirth’s” have as their fun-makers on their present tour Grimaldi, the Great, who makes falls his speciality, and the Alfredo Egoihago troupe from Squth America. The troupe made several appearances, and as their gagging and mirth provoking efforts were all new they were well received on each occasion. Their burlesque of a Spanish bull fight-, in which dressed up dogs with alarming horns were the “buirs,” was particularly goodAs is usual with Wirths’ circus, the animal acts were a feature. Captain Smith opened the programme with his troupe of lions, handling them with con- | siderable skill and daring. Miss Eileen • May made a first appearance with the elephant herd, pleasing the audience greatly'with the acts of two small elephants I and later with five of them in a mimic ’ battle, in which the elephants charged an imaginary foe, were vanquished in the fight and then hoisted the white flag of surrender. With laughable mimicry one elephant played “dead” and another the part, of a wounded hero, while two others gently carried their fallen leader from the field. Miss May also appeared ip a human butterfly act, swinging into mid air from the back of a galloping horse. Miss Gladys and Mr. A. Clarke were riders and acrobats on trained horses, while other picturesque acts, which displayed the wonderful sagacity of the performers, were given by troupes of ponies and horses. The whole programme was put through to music supplied by the circus band under the direction of Mr. H. McMahan.