BOSTOCK AND WOMBWELL’S CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 849, 14 June 1906, Page 13

BOSTOCK AND WOMBWELL’S CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE.

Mechanics’ Bay has presented quite a lively scene every evening with the numbers of people pouring in to see the famous Menagerie and Novelty Circus, and busness has been splendid all the week, while the matinee on Saturday was crowded. It is difficult to say which is the more popular section, the menagerie or the

variety turns. In the former all sorts of strange beasts and birds are to be seen. The big Ceylon elephant Alice has a keen rival in popular favour in the quaint-looking chimpanzee Marie, whose almost human look makes the Darwinian theory easily understandable. Most of the animals are very quiet and ready to be the best of friends with visitors. Especially does this apply to many of the birds, such as the adjutants, storks, etc., who wander about among the audience at their own sweet will. The tapir is another friendly customer, but this can hardly be said of that curious specimen, the blue-nosed baboon, who looks as though nothing would please him better than a scrap with anybody or anything wishing to accommodate him. The lions are generally too dignified to pay much attention to visitors, while the two camels, unusually fine specimens by the way, look as though the whole thing was a bore. The menagerie is the best which has visited us yet. Many of the variety turns are exceptionally clever, and it is difficult to say which are the most popular. The balancing feats of the Lukushima troupe border on the marvellous, but these are done with such neatness and rapidity that they are made to appear comparatively easy. Jarvis and Campbell contribute another exceedingly interesting turn, the hoop act and the club-swinging being really remarkable. The Bros. Pastor give an original and particularly smart musical acrobatic entertainment, and always get heaps of laughter and applause. Signor Bertain appears so much at home when balanced at the top of an unsupported ladder, that we shall have all the small boys in the place breaking their crowns when trying to accomplish this exceptionally difficult feat. Gungi and Dolwi, the Danish musical clowns, happy Jackies and his performing dogs, Miss Mona, the clever dancer, and. Mons. Menier, the human ostrich, help to make up a very strong company. Professor Bonnor has been giving exhibitions of hypnotism with his partner, Mr. Williams. The latter has been hypnotised and upon his body a huge block of Oamaru stone has been broken to pieces. Mr. Williams has now been thrown into a hypnotic sleep and buried, where he is to remain until Saturday, receiving no nourishment of any kind during that time.

The season will end on Saturday, when three performances will be given at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 8 p.m., and this will be the very last opportunity of seeing this really good show. The following towns will afterwards be visited: —Hamilton, June 18 and 19; Cambridge, June 20; Rotorua, June 21 and 22; Te Aroha, June 23; Paeroa, June 25; Waihi, June 26, 27, and 28; Thames, June 29 and 30. The circus and menagerie will leave for Sydney on July 2.