Fun And Suspense Provided By Circus

Chronicle (Levin), 11 October 1949, Page 4

Fun And Suspense Provided By Circus

Bucking broneos, shouting comedians, crazy clowns, acrobats and a host of individual stars brought the capacity house fits of laughter and many moments of suspense when Barton's circus visited Levin last night and provided one of the year's highlights in entertainment. Packed full of action from start to finish, the circus gave scope for every type of amusement, irom the an'Lics of gailydecked clowns to the amazing feats of dare devil acrobats. To start the show buck jumpers gave an exhibition of how wild horses can be ridaen with ease.' Those local men who endeavoured to show their equestrian. ahidty met with little success when mounted upon horses guarameed to dislodge all comers in a matter of seconds. The many children who streamed through the ropes In response to .a request for youthful riders, though not succeeding in staying the course, kept the onlookers in a state of helpless mirth. Next came Celesle, an outstanding contortionist followed by the Five St. Leons in an exhibition of trick riding. If was one thing to see one of the group skipping on horseback, but further astonishment was added a few minutes later when a not-so-foolish clown. appeared in an act of skipping while lying on his back. To add to the old time circus atmosphere came the tight-rope artists, Alfonso and Dolores. Dancing on the thin wire rope to the rhythm of modern swing did not worry the spectacular Alfonso, while to Dolores the colour of an umbrella held aloft claimed more attention than the delicate feat of balancing on the tip of one foot. Ace whipcrackers, Ken Huntly and Beryl Riley, added a new angle to the legend of William Tell and the apple when the latter stood unperturbed as Ken slieed an apple off the top of her head with a crack of his whip. The acrobats were next on the programme with a series of acts that had a spine-chilling effect on the crowd beneath the big top. Before a hushed audienee these two men fiaunted death in ari endeavour to prove that the tip of a- 12-foot pole, balanced precariously on one artist's shoulder, is an ideal perch for the other. As a grand finale to an excellent programme came Beryl Riley, champion woman rider, and the wonder horse Paint. The horse and rider had perfect understanding and their partnership was crowned with success from the first jump, a human hurdle, to the last, a flaming hoop and a ring of swords. Barion's Circus. has prove d itself as being entertainntent supreme for both young and old, and when it returns next year can again be assured of a large and enthusiastic audienee. It shows in Otaki tonight.