Fitzgeralds' Circus.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9047, 20 April 1898, Page 3

Fitzgeralds' Circus.

POPENING AT THE TH *MES ON f TUESDAY.

For circus entertafnments the name of Fitzgerald's Bros is a iiouaohold word throughout Australia and New Zealand. U hey are, in fact, termed the "Bamumsof Australia." Pluck, energy, enterprise, and daring are the characteristics of the two brothers, and these qualifications, backei up by a long and varied experience of the requirements of the colonial amusement seeker, have enabled them from time to time to rise to the highest position as caterers for the amusement of the million. Some little time ago Mr Dan Fitzgerald, with his head full of big ideas and his pockets lined with money, left Australia for another trip to Europe, and while there he set himself the task of discovering something that would provide excitement and novelty to the colonies. This he succeeded in doing, for he secured from Carl Hagenbeck's Zoological Circus, Hamburg, a novelty in the shape of a full grown Africanlion riding round an enclosed ring on the back of an elephant on a tricycle This is shown at the circus, and it forms a unique and sensational act. Mr Fitzgerald also secured in his travels Mr George Harmston, from Hengler's Circus, Dublin, a somersault and jockey rider, and graceful lady equestriennes in the persona of Mdlle. de Blende and Mdlle. Mille Dugmar. With those attractions and others" together with the educated elephant, Fitzgerald Bros, have recently toured all parts of Australia with success, aud now they come to this colony to give the peop'e tli*-* latest in circus perform ances. The popularity of the brothers here was evidenced in Auckland on Mondcy ni«hc at the opening prefcim ance of this Us; show there, svery part of the gigantic tent being crowded in all parts lonji before ei^ht o'clock. At an entrance tent is located the menagerie, which cousißts of a South Africsm lioa named "Burns," two lionesses, one born at Adelaide Zoo, a black panther, a leopard, an elephant, a monkey and its baby, the latter born in Western Australia, and a cage en-

titled «TLe Happy Eamily,' in which are located monkeys, an Australian emu, baboon, and a dog faced monkey. The Auckland Star refers to the Bhow in terms of the warmest praise, and as everything is to be shown at the Thames precisely as it was in Auckland—no part whatever hawing been left belaud—it may safely be predicted that the two nights' season here will be largely patronised.