CHIARINI’S CIRCUS.

Evening Star, Issue 3125, 24 February 1873, Page 3

CHIARINI’S CIRCUS.

Of ail the equestrian, acrobatic tumbling, or tight-rope performances yet given iu the Australasian Colonics, that of the Italian Circus Company certainly is the best. The company includes persons who have already distinguished themselves in their particular line of business in other parts of the world, while the stud is composed only of weU bred, well trained, handsome animals The troupe gave their first entertainment in Dunedin on Saturday evening last in a monster tent pitched on the reclaimed land, adjacent to the South Dune iin Market Reserve. The internal arrangements of the tent differed somewhat from similar places of amusement. Within a circle, defined by a rail, and surrounding the ring, the ground was hoarded over and furnished with chairs, affording accommodation for about seven hundred people, while immediately behind this circle a gallery extending round the tent was erected. The proprietor seems to have recognised the necessity of providing for the comfort as well as the amusement of his patrons, for in addition to the provision again.at over-crowd-ing, a ! ow curtain is spread round the ring, wliich has the effect" of preventing earth or dust passing from the horse*’ hoofs amongst thb a ,dieuce. The Provincial band occupied the orchestra and played excellent music, while four ladies and four gentlemen mounted, ami headed by Miss Kate Holloway, commenced the entertainment hyg dug through a series of manoeuvres, difficult to describe but plea'in.' to witness. The next item iu the programme was an exhibition of strength by Mr J. Kelh-n. The apparent ease and grace with which ho twirled round his person clubs of wood, varying in weight from ten to fifty pounds, were astounding, but surpassed by bis manipulation of iron balls, varying ip weight up to over eighty pounds. He played with them as a boy would with a cricket hall, and apparently without ext;a moscular exertion. As e eh feat succeeded the other the audience became more demonstrative in applauding the performer. The tumbling on the carpet in the centre of the ring by ten performers was an astounding scene. The positions, groupings, and rapid action of the group must be seen to be appreciated. Bvory imaginable position was assumed ; some of them were classical, others vulgar, but all illustrative of the extent to which the human form may be trained. Miss Kate Hollo Way followed these with an act of equestrianism as graceful as it was asto ashing. She danced, skipped with a hcop, and leaped on the horse’s back with a degree of ease and grace not often seen iu simi ar performances on terra finna The next scone was th t described as “head to head,” by the Carlo Brothers. The comical tumbling tricks of these performers Vomited much merriment ; but when, by a single bound, the one p’a-.eel himself on the Ireful of the other, witlr his feet iu the air, the astonishment of the audience was evinced by the uproarious applause which followed. Without mechanical assistance, the one balanced on the other, bead to head, they moved round the ring, tired several pistols, and then with the utmost rapidity threw themselves into the most graceful positions. 'Che Benton Troupe, who visited these Colonics some years ago, were acknowledged to bo exceedingly clover, but these people surpass' them iu many respects. The horsemanship of Mr Holland was clover, dariug, a wd but differed Uttk

from like performances we have witnessed. The tight-rope dancing, however, by Miss Bridges, was a novel and exceedingly clever performance. She danced a hornpipe, played a solo on a drum, and executed several other indescribable acts without the aid of a balance pole, in a manner not often seen. Two very handsome and well-bred horses were then introduced by Signor Chiarini, and put through a series of performances alike pleasing and interesting. At the bidding of their trainer they waltzed singly and then together, walked backwards, lay down, rolled over, and moved about the ring, exhibiting an extent of docility and training almost incredible. 'The most daring and exciting act of the evening was that of the lady described as “The Queen of the Arena.’' On. a bare-backed steed, while travelling at a rapid pace, she threw herself into many graceful attitu !e,s—now standing, then sitting, and then reclining, all the while carrying a child, who also perfo med in a manner to be attemp-ed only by few of riper years. he per ormance, as it proceeded, gained on the audience, and at the conclusion the demonstrations of applause were prolonged and complimentary to the equestrienne. This act was followed by another not so dangerous or daring, but equally enjoyable. It was simply an illustration of the extent to which quadrupeds may be trained. The animal was a pure bred Arab stallion, and was mounted by Miss Holloway. imply by pull of the rein, she succeeded in forcing it to trot in a peculiar fashion, limp, dance about the ring, walk on its hind legs, and caper in a most ridiculous manner. The concluding item of the programme was a novelty. La Petite Erailie, a child of not more than six summers, first did the circle with two handsome ponies, then two others were introduced, and with the four she rode rapidly round the ring, now standing, then sitting, apparently as much at home as if in a chair ; sometimes jumping the whole team over poles or driving them at their highest speed. There was no interval or break in the performar.ee, and from the overture to the conclusion the interest of the audience was maintained.