ST. LEON CIRCUS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 41, 12 November 1920, Page 8

ST. LEON CIRCUS

FINE VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT. The fascination of the sawdust ring, the glamour of shining steel trapeze'and ladders, the billowing canvas, and tho relentless arc lights that go to innke a circus, has not been lost as far as Wellington audiences are concerned; and a full tent greeted the initial performance in New Zealand of the St. Leon Circus, which took place near the Taranaki Street Wharf Inst evening. Although there, is no menagerie attached to the circus, the excellence of the variety entertainment made up for the absence of animals, and the time-honoured clowns found that their nonsense pleased both adults and children. Tho standard set bv the St. Leons is high, and at no time was interest lacking. A feature of tho circus was the excellent 'lighting arrangements, the whole tent being lit by electricity, making tjie sawdust ring as clear as a theatrical stage. The trained horses which appeared several times during the performance are vory fine, and much amusement was caused last evening by the antics of clowns attempting to ride bareback. Comedy leaps indulged -in .by the Rezantine troupe created fun and the audience readily applauded the inanities of the clown and Ins friend "Dummy." In their "Aaerial Dental Act" the Odossa Sisters, one of whom.is nnite a little tot, showed great skill in hanging from a steel trapeze by their teeth, a charming effect being the simultaneous opening of three parachutes displaying - Allied flags. -' On his trick noiiy. "Reuben,"'Mr. Sylvester St, Leon gnve a capable exhibition of trick riding, his bareback work being excellent. A» a contortionist, "Franco," styled 1 he. Human Frog," displayed great.flexibility of limbs, some of his contortions being nothing short of wonderful. On a revolving ladder two much made-up clowns kept the audience amused; l>iit amusement changed to fear when tho intrepid duo whirled round and round,. hiitJi up in the' air, on the flimsy wooden ladder. The five St. Leons, in their exhibition of acrobatics, brought forward tricks much above the ordinary, and' the threo-liitrli somersaulting of the smallest member of the'quintet was something to be icmembered. On a taut wire, without the assistance of the customary parasol. Mile. Golda. proved to be a clevcr'extxment of her art, and her performance on a monnwheel was exceptionally good. Leonard's performing poodles and the "Jnckeroo" with his dogs pleased tho youncer section, of tho onlookers greatly, as did the three little pigs and tho sheen, who obeyed commands of one Morris, who rewarded the little-pigs for their trouble by feeding them out of a baby's bottle. A tableau, featuring "Cms. tho war horce," was a little too long drawn out, otherwise the animal performed his task well, and the andienco eagerly watched tho "battle scene," where two redcoats are murdered by blackfellows. Miss Flo .Teffines achioved considerable success as a sharpshooter, one of the audience consenting to becomo a targot; but her manipulation of Indian clubs was rather weak, and there was too much of it. Other "acts" presented were Jack and Annette, cqinlibrista and head balancers, Silvester and his collie, "The Clown, and the Rabbit." the -Liemaniacs, arid a posing interlude by the Rentfrew Troupe, the classical poses being excellont. A good band played during the items, lidding in addition a pleasing entr'acte. The circus will b&v open this evening, and during the week.