THE ELECTRIC CIRCUS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1100, 15 November 1883, Page 2

THE ELECTRIC CIRCUS.

No show is more popular than a circus and, given fine weather, it was a foregone conclusion that the entertainment given at Ashburton last night would be largely attended. Some time before the hour had arrived for commencing the performance, the tent was crowded, and in the lower priced portions oven standing room could not be obtained. The entertainment started with the usual procession, the various movements being gone through with great skill. Following this, a lady came into the ring and went through some extraordinary evolutions, apparently proving that it is possible for some people to exist without a backbone. Among the items of the first part, not the least noticeable, was the riding of a very cleverly trained monkey, whose skill in horsemanship was nearly equal to the human riders in the show. A Japanese conjurer did some wonderful feats of balancing, and a trapeze entertainment by a lady performer was loudly and deservedly applauded. In the second part, some excellent bare-back riding was exhibited, and an extremely clever troupe of performing dogs created much amusement by their antics. The ground and lofty tumbling was 'deserving of praise, the various gymnasts doing their allotted task with skill and dexterity. That important character in a circus, the clown, fell into good hands, Duvalli creating immense merriment with his repartees and by-play, while he was supported by another gentleman in motley garb. Taken as a whole, the electric circus will compare favorably with any show of a similar kind that has visited Ashburton, and the only fault to be found was that tha electric light was a little erratic at times. This, however, is a matter that will no doubt be rectified this evening, as the necessity for erecting the tent at so short a notice probably prevented all the arrangements being completed. We fully expect to see a crowded house again to-night, and can safely promise our readers a thoroughly pleasant evening’s entertainment.