Fillis’s Circus

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 150, 8 June 1893, Page 8

Fillis’s Circus

A MAMMOTH SHOW. The arrival of Mr Allan Hamilton by the steamer Manapouri on Tuesday gave warning of the early advent of Fillie’s Circus and Menagerie to Auckland, and this morning the small gang of billposters at work confirm the idea. In conversation with Mr Hamilton at the Albert Hotel, that gentleman said, ‘ Yes, we open in Auckland on Wednesday next, on the ground adjoining the Railway Station belonging to the Harbour Board, and I should like to say a word in thanks of the courtesy I have met with at the hands of Mr Brigham, the secretary, who, in spite of the fact that the leasing of any ground belonging to that corporation must, as a rule, be placed before the full committee, took such steps that within two hours of my application a satisfactory reply was received; and here I may say, that through this, my first visit to New Zealand, I have met with the greatest possible assistance. Nothing appears to be a trouble to anybody, and the consequence is a business trip really becomes a pleasure one. At any rate that is my experience, and although I leave for Sydney on Tuesday next, I hope before many months are past to pay another visit to your hospitable country. You are correct in saying that our tour has been a phenomena) one. Yes, phenomenal is the word that rightly expresses our success. I have heard a great deal about what others have done in our line in this country, and I think it is generally conceded that Cooper and Bailey’s show was the biggest that ever came this way. Well, I don’t wish to say one word about the merits of Cooper and Bailey, but I do know that our receipts have ‘ topped’ the famous show of 15 years ago in every town that we have visited. I know exactly what I am talking about, on account of our excellent manager Signor Patrick O’Grady Agrati (who was the manager of the 0 and B show), being in possession of the actual receipts <?f that tour. But what is that to the public ? What you good people of Auckland want is to see the show, and we have, I think, a circus and menagerie that will please everybody. In our menagerie, which by the way is free—no extra charges about us—you will find four magnificent Nubian Lions, who are put through a most exciting performance twice daily by their intrepid trainer. Then a performing Royal Bengal Tiger, who performs loose in the arena; yes, actually loose, my boy. None of your milk and water business, but I assure you that our tiger cannot be beaten in any part of the world. The trainer winds up his performance by a man and tiger fight—a most realistic affair. After this we show you a fine lot of zebras, panthers, monkeys, and other animals, which I claim go to make up the best menagerie ever seen on the road. And please remember that all perform in the arena. Coming to the stables we have a remarkably fine lot of horses—7o in number —who are taught to do anything but talk, and I imagine that even you will be surprised at the wonderful amount of intelligence they possess. Of artistes we carry 90, all picked by Mr Fillis in his annual tour to England and the Continent. They comprise the very best to be obtained, and we cannot offer you more than that.

Two performances will be given daily, and let me assure you that the afternoon performances are equal in all respects to the evening shows, so that country friends need not be afraid about seeing any curtailment in the programme. ‘ How are we satisfied with New Zealand ? Well, Mr Fillis never played to such enthusiastic crowds in the whole of his experience, and his only complaint is that the colony is. not three times larger, in which case he would establish permanent buildings, the same as he possesses in London, Brighton, Manchester, Glasgow, and all through South Africa.’ Thus ended a pleasant chat, and Mr Hamilton hurried away to meet a carpenter on the ground.