COLE’S CIRCUS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2119, 8 December 1880, Page 3

COLE’S CIRCUS.

Notwithstanding the very short notice given of the opening of this circus last night, a very fair attendance greeted what may be called the rising of the curtain. There can be no doubt but that this show is a long way the best one that has put in an appearance in Christchurch, All the feats of agility and daring are done with great cleanness and precision, and there cannot be said to be any of those mediocre performances which too often make time hang rather heavily. The great tent is lighted with electric light, and although the quality of the light is so totally different from gaslight, and the warm look of the latter may at first be missed, yet the electric light is well adapted for throwing into strong relief the groups of the performers. The dress circle seats are much more comfortable than usual. Passing the entrance to the circus the visitor comes to the tent in which the menagerie is exhibited. Without stopping in the present notice to particularise the various animals, it may generally be said that Mr Cole has here a unique collection of all kinds, well worth an hour’s inspection. Passing to the performance, the elephants exhibited by Mr Conklin, show what patience will do, even with such unpromising pnpils. Tho aerial bicycle act, in which Mr Murtz rides a bicycle across a wire rope, with Mdlle. Adelaide and Mr Dunbar performing trapeze tricks suspended to it, is a very clever performance indeed, end the same may he said of the leaping of the troupe, particularly one who vaults over the back of an elephant standing on a pedestal, besides several camels, &o. Mr Organ introduced two very clever trick horses, exemplifying the wonderful results that training will accomplish with animals. Mr Cooke gave a very dashing equestrian act, which also introduced Mr Mclntyre, who, to quote the bills, “is a veritable genius in the tented temple of Mourns.” Messrs Dunbar and Livingstone are wonderfully good on the horizontal bar. Mr Mclntyre singe a very good song, and is a capital clown indeed, one at, and with whom, it is a pleasure to laugh. Mdlle Adelaide rode a very graceful act of equestrianism, and this brought out another gentlemaP in motley, Pioo, a very worthy fool, and one who at once made himself a favorite. Mr W. O. Dale Stevens’ wonderful balancing act with the globes and table must be seen to be appreciated. The globes seemed to be possessed of powers of attraction difficult to realise, and the concluding feats with the table have never been equalled here. Two capital acts of horsemanship by M. A. Yazant and Mr Barclay, and some good acrobatic feats by the Livingstone Bros, followed, and then Senorita Millie Turnout gave a most graceful performance on the trapeze, performing a number of balancing feats whilst the trapeze was in full swing. Miss Linda Jeal in her wonderful loaping_ act gave a most dashing performance, eliciting lend applause. This was certainly one of tho prettiest, as it was one of the moat daring, acts done during the evening. Then came the gem of the performance —the five trained stallions—in which Mr Organ showed the high training to which he has brought these really beautiful animals. Obedient to the word of command, they went through a number of military evolutions in most perfect style, sat on chairs, and finally walked out on their hind legs to the music of the band. Mr W. O’Dale was excellent in his five horse act, the large number of horses being handled with great dexterity and success. A clever little act by two ponies on a see-saw, introduced by Mr Organ, and Mr Conklin’s feats with the lions closed the performance of tho circus pioper. A very efficient band, under the able leadership of Mr Stoneham, played well during the evening. Of course there was a side show—a circus without a side show would be shorn of half its attractions. This is designated “ The Museum.” Hero are two of the most interesting little people perhaps in tho world, in the persona of Count Rosebud aud Barou Littlefinger, each standing thirty-one inches high, but in every other respect perfect little men. They converse pleasantly and fluently in five or six languages, and last night one sang an aria from “Trovatore” in a very pleasing and cultivated voice, whilst the other accompanied him in a marvellously clever manner by whistling on his fingers, resembling a flute played in a masterly manner. They also did a fencing act with much grace. Dr Granville, the living skeleton, who although of ordinary height only weighs 601b5., our old friend Bismarck, the learned pig, whose skill at euchre is as great as ever, the Comanche Indians, song and dance troupe, &0., make up the show of varieties here. To-day at ten o’clock tho parade will take place, and tho circus will give two performances, afternoon and evening. A ticket office has been opened at Milner and Thompson’s for those who prefer to get their tickets in town.