WIRTHS CIRCUS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7002, 18 January 1901, Page 1

WIRTHS CIRCUS.

A YOUNG LADY IN THE TIGERS' /' DEN. The largest a-ttendance that has yet been seea in the circus this season greeted, the opening act last night. -All the lower-priced seats were sold out long before the opening, and' when the performance began; the tent was crowded in every part. The programme was 'gone 'through with great spirit ' from first to last,- and every item was loudly applauded. The lady performers were — Miss Libra, oa the slack wire; Misses Marizles Wirth and Edith Wirth, clever equestriennes, aoid MiBS Ailele, on the mystic ball.. Mr John Webley Cooke's successive leaps, . from the ground to a standing position* on a galloping horse were loudly cheered, , aD&'.generally his riding was much admired^ a« was thai of Mr Cairl Wirfch, ano'bhei' clever rider, and r Master Akc Wirth, a promising boy rider. Besides these there were Mr Fred El Zobedie, a wonderful acrobat, a hos^ of horizontal bar performers and a number of clowns tha* were really funny. The ponies and horses which gave special performances in t ; he arena, and have been trained by Mr Wir-fch, ai"e & credit to his patience amd kindness with them. Mons Soueki is the wild animal-tamer, and he has his bears amd his tigers in complete subjection. Just before the tigers' performance began, Mr Philip Wirth announced' that Miss Marie Carmen, a Chrifitchurdh lady, would enter the cage with M. Soueki andi himself, and asked that perfect quietness should be observed while the lady was in the cage. This request was soot complied with as fully as it might have been, as some enthusiasts could 1 not restrain their applause while Miss Carmen was in, the cage, a position: that was not by any means without danger had the animals been excited^ by her presence and the applause. While in the cage Mr Philip Wirth presented Miss Carmen- withi ; «i gold medal, suitably inscribed, as a, souvenir 'of that evening and a token of his appreca-tion of her pluck. He hoped it would be a talisman of good luck for her ia the future. Miss Carmen then left the cage amid the . plaudits of the large audience, and M. Soueki went on witih his performance with t)he tigers. The circus gives a matinee performance this afternoon, and its final even- ' ing performance to-night. Lyttelton will i be visited on Saturday, and the show will for Wellington by steamer immediatelvi after.