FITZGERALD’S CIRCUS

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1376, 10 February 1905, Page 2

FITZGERALD’S CIRCUS

&i RECORD HOUSE, I Last night this renowned combinaI fioii commenced their Gisborne seaI sort 5a MuiEs pa'ddock, Whataupoko,, where a record .audience assembled and were more than, delighted with I the excellent bill of fare ■ provided. .The programme opened with a bright overture played by the efficient circus band,, under the conductorship of IMr Yale. Messrs Frank and Jones I witli the male portion-of the Company gave an excellent exhibition, of somersault jumping over a number of horses, and concluded the turn by a daring leap and double somersault j over a number of grips and bayonets, the guns being fired pfE whilst the performers were in mid air. Miss Sybil Barroni gave a capital display of plate-apinpinig and intricate juggling, and received the applause of all present. The two trick ponies . (Barbell© and Barbetti) were very much admired in. their clever exhibition, their walzing being full of merit, whilst the intelligence .of the animals was truly marvellous. Miss Ethel Ashton, a charming young trapezist,, won the admiration of the largo gathering by her marvellous evolutions on the trapeze in midair ; this exhibition was one of the gems of tho show. In another turn this clever artiste gave an excellent display, of her abilities as a slack-wire-walker, executing difficult feats ■with ease and grace. Miss Ashton,

with her sister, was also highly successful in the double-trapeze act, both y.opng ladies acquitting themselves in a wonderful manner. Mr Allan Kerr surprised the crowd with his wonderfully clever cycling turn. Considerable interest was taken in the* performance of the well-known pony Commodore, which soon established itself a warm favorite with the audience. Another exciting turn was the bounding-j.ockey act by Mr W. Enderson: A grand hunting dis-

play by. eight latlies and gentlemen on horseback attracted considerable I attention." Tho appearance of the Osaka troupe of "Japanese wrestlers was the signal for hearty applause. This exhibition of the Japanese national sport, which was accurately given as of to-day in "Japan, was keenly watched and proved one of

11be*chief features of this clever show I the wrestlers being a physically, well i I built sot of Japanese. Tho hurrii I cane hurdle act by the Japanese I youth ‘‘‘ Lycurgus,”' was an excellent piece of horsemanship, which I was specially admired by the large I number of natives present. Many other attractive items, including a I clever exhibition by half a dozen I dogs, were given and led up to the I introduction of Dr. Gordon, the 1 modern Vulcan, who treated the audI icnce to marvellous feats of stregtb, j the like of which has hitherto never I been exhibited in this town. Dr. I Gordon iully; merited the enthusiasI tic reception accorded him, and l:is splendid physique was the admiration' of all. An eminently successI ful entertainment concluded with the I exhibition or high jumping, especialI ly' appealibg "to a local audience. The circus is a very strong one, all its members being truly artists. Much | praise is "due to the several clowns who throughout the show did some good work in keeping the crowd in a mirthful moo'd. An entire change of programme will bp presented to-night, and there will be a matinee performance tormorrow afternoon, the season terminating in the evening.