ENTERTAINMENTS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10485, 19 December 1929, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TEMUKA PICTURES. Thrilling adventure and haunting romance are strongly featured in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer giant spectacle, “White Shadows in the South Seas,” which was screened at Temuka last evening, and will be shown for the last time to-night. The story is laid in the South Seas, that amazing mystery place of waving palm trees, soft southern winds and exotic scenery. It concerns the fate of native Polynesians, who are rapidly dying out, and within a few years will have vanished from the earth. Monte Blue plays the part of a doctor who, through drink, has sunk to the level of a beachcomber. Opposite him is Raquel Torres, one of the new sensational “finds” of the season. A large group of native islanders supply an authentic atmosphere, and some marvellous underwater scenes. Seats may be reserved at McMillan’s, ’phone 52.

WIRTHS’ CIRCUS. Although in the many other years the chief aim of Wirth Bros, was to provide “the highest quality in the greatest quantity” in the worldfamous circus, it would appear, from Monday evening’s performance at Temuka, that all previous displays of this really high-class combination have been eclipsed. Right from the moment the band opened with its stirring Australasian March, to the final item, the audience was in turn thrilled, entertained, amused and, not least, educated by the various numbers of the long programme. It is easy to fathom the secret which lies at the bottom of Wirths’ success in winning such a high reputation through all five continents. This lies in the fact that, quite apart from the romantic glamour that surrounds any circus, each and every item of their entertainment must be, and is, a "top-notcher,” and, therefore, second-rate performers do not find a place in Wirths’. Splendid as all the items were, the number which undoubtedly won the highest approbation of the major portion of the audience was the acrobatic turn by the Lias Troupe. Never before, possibly, has Wirths’ included in their company of performers such accomplished acrobats as these. Their act was as worthy of Wirths’ as Wirths’ was worthy of them.

The Flying La Mars, the Santey Duo, and Claudia Alba the Strong Woman, also made deep impressions on the .audience. The La Mars — | billed as “Mighty Monarchs of the j Air”-—held the audience spellbound with their spectacular double, triple and twisting somersaults, whilst 23 feet above ground. The Santey Duo’s act, too, was a mid-air one, these two giving such a display of unique gymnastics as aroused keen appreciation from all. Claudia Alba, the world’s famous feminine athlete, l exhibited magnificent strength in i the many feats she performed, these ■ including holding a 2cwt. cannon by iter teeth, whilst she herself hung by her knees from a horizontal bar. There was a wonderful performance of hand-balancing by the i Three Arconas, one of these being i Miss Betty Arcona, who was billed ! as “the most fearless woman in the world.” The many other acts of the evening’s entertainment included an exhibition of performing white polar and brown bears, as well as feats of horse training and equestrianism by Mr Alfred Clarke, Miss Gladys Wirth, Mr Phillip Wirth, the Klarkoskies, and Miss Doris Wirth. The elephant trick act and the elephants’ military tattoo were both very entertaining. Boauliful colours, alnd graceful riding by Miss Madeline, (he butterfly dancer, won unstinted applause; and on the occasion of his first appearance after five years’ retirement, the Great Muldoon evoked rounds of laughter and applause in his humorous balancing feats on ordinary house furniture. Humour of an unusual kind was supplied by a 7ft 4in thin clown and a 2ft 10in dwarf, Little Peter, in combination with Jimmie James, the South African clown. There were 27 items on the programme, which commenced punctually at S p.m. and finished at 10.57 p.m. People left the tent convinced that Wirths’ is a wonderful combination.