PERRY BROTHERS’ CIRCUS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 152, 23 March 1939, Page 14

PERRY BROTHERS’ CIRCUS

Novel And ThrillingProgramme LARGE ATTENDANCE AT FIRST NIGHT 'The circus, with its performing animals, its acrobats aud its clowns, is one form of entertainment that seems never to lose its fascination for both young aud old. There was a large atteudauce at the Winter Show Building last uight when Perry Brothers opened their Wellington season with a performance that was in the best tradition of the sawdust ring. There were thrills in abundance, novelty and laughter in a well arranged programme. Elephants, lions, tigers, horses, dogs and even the humble sheep were seen in a variety of clever tricks; and trapeze work, tumbling, tightrope feats and general acrobatics were performed by capable and versatile artists. From beginning to end the entertainment went with a swing and the audience was not slow to show its appreciation.

The Flying Dunbars provided plenty oS thrills as they hurdled themeelves in daring somersaults betweeu flying trapezes high in the air. Iron nerve and perfect timing made their act one to be remembered. One of the best turns of the night, which could not be identified from the rather vague programme notes, was that of a briliiant tigbtwire performer aud his partner. The climax was reached when the male member of the duo did a back s'omersault on the wire from a stationary position. He capped this feat by riding a bicycle both forward and backward along the wire. Undah aud Ovah, two clowns, did some amazing evolutions on an aerial revolving ladder. Bounding on something like a huge spring bedstead, the Moore Sisters turned double somersaults in the air, a feat which, it is said, has not been performed by anyone else in the world. The Cooreen troupe of lightning acrobats offered something really spectacular as they whirled and spun about the ring, and the Henry Arco troupe of. head and hand balancers were also a source of wonder. Both lions and tigers, the latter in charge of a woman trainer, carried out a series of tricks, including a leap through a blazing hoop, and a team of four elephants went through some interesting routines.

There were several excellent equestrian acts. The Jingling Jumpers stood, sat and lay in every conceivable position on the back of an imperturbably cantering horse. Other features were the skipping of Miss Phyllis and the somersaults of Mr. James Perry, both performed on tlie bare back of a moving horse. Comadore, a clever little pony, enjoyed a brief season on a see-saw.

Seemingly without a bone in her body, Miss La La Seibine did some extraordinary feats of contortion and balancing. Tex McLeod spun the rope in the manner of the late Will Rogers. W. J. Martin juggled adroitly with billiard balls, eigar boxes and anything else that came to hand. Mulldoon fell gracefully from the top of half a dozen rickety tables piled on top of each other in a dangerous-looking way. Hector Hill, with his four clever little dogs, also contributed an enjoyable act.

The inevitable clowns provided plenty of clever fun throughout the evening.

During the season, matinees will be presented on Wednesday and Saturday.