WIRTH BROS.' CIRCUS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8764, 28 April 1890, Page 2

WIRTH BROS.' CIRCUS.

SATURDAY NIGHT'S PERFORMANCE The reputation that preceded Wirth Bros Circus here was well sustained by them on Saturday night, when they opened in New Plymouth for a short season. The attendance of the public was enormous, and the seating accommodation in the spacious marquee was taxed to its utmost. On the lowest computation there must have boon close on 1500 pei ;ons in the tent. The seating arrangements were all that could be wished for, and the patrons of the circus got every attention from the ushers, who were very gentlemanly in their deportment. The illuminating was given from a puriiied kerosene piocess, which shed forth a brilliant light. With regard to the programme, it was voted by all to be the best of its kind ever seen in New Plymouth. The opening cavalcade was exceedingly pretty, the manoeuvres of the equestrians and equestriennes being nicely executed. In a pedestal act, which is quite new, and which was next given, Master Carl Wirth, a bright little fellow of some 8 or 0 summers, surprised th« audience by the wonderful elasticity of his body. This was indeed a wonderful act for one so young, and must be seen to be fully understood. Miss Edie Wirth's equestrianism, in which she jumped over i ropes, and through hoops, was very daring. ' Some good feats of bareback riding, and juggling from horseback were performed by Miss Mar/Jes Wirth, \rho afterwards did some clever feats on the slack wire without the aid of a balancing pole. In this latter act she performed some tricks with three tame pigeons who took their perch on her shoulders and head. The bareback riding of Miss Madeline Wirth was as clever an exhibition as one could wish to see, especially when she hung from the horse when jumping through hoops of lire. In a two horse act (bareback) with Mr Gus St. Leon this lady again distinguished herself. Masters Carl and Alfred Wirth did a jockey act, in which thuy rode a pony, and performed some daring feats of horsemanship. The dancing Welsh pony, John Bull, was a good specimen of a trained equine, his waltzing, step dancing etc. being a feature to behold. Another pony, which goes by the name of General Gordon, did some extraordinary trick acts , his rinding of hidden things showing that he had plenty of intelligence. The pony Sultan was another equine wonder, who did some clever walking and other tricks. In a four pony act, riding bareback, Master Herbert Wirth managed his team very effectively, and quite won the admiration of the audience. " The challenge acrobatic act " by Mr P. Wirth, and Masters Carl and Herbert Wirth, was a treat to witness. The most extraordinary feats were done by the trio, and fully demonstrated that the title given the exhibition was no empty one. Mr Gus St. Leon was very funny in his delineation of national character on horseback, his pourtrayal of the Irishman oeing perhaps the best. The champion live horse act (bareback) by Mr G. Wirth was a daring and accomplished piece of equestrianism, and fully deserved the plaudits of the audience. The acrobatic acts by the family were clever and effective, and the same applies to the great pyramid act, in which Mr P. Wirtli bears the weight of all the others. Miss Edie Wirth gave an exhibition of Indian club swinging. A piebald pony called Pet did some clever walking and jumping tricks. In the French jockey act Mr St Leon showed what extraordinary things a rider could do bareback. The horses are trained and looked after by Mr Jose Romano, who apparently knows his business thoroughly. The clowning, which was in the hands of Messrs 11., G., and J. J. Wirth, assisted by " dummy clowns," was provocative of laughter. The ringmastering was carried out by Messrs P. and G. Wirtli and Jose Romano.

The public are reminded that the circus performs again to-night (Monday), when " Dick Turpin's ride to York," as played in England, will be given as a finale.