CIRCUS ON TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1931, Page 3

CIRCUS ON TOUR

A TROUP IN TROUBLE “GOOD COMPANIONS” THAMES GIVES BENEFIT A story that bears some resemblance to .1. B. Priestley’s “Good Companions” is told by the Auckland “Star” of a circus band now touring the north. In August there appeared an advertisement in an Australian cinema paper inviting applications from firstclass performers to join a circus to tour New Zehland. -Applicants were promised long contracts, good pay, and guaranteed return fares. With so many vaudeville and circus performers out of employment, it was not surprising that the promoteis received- a good response, and, with new tents' and equipment, Ja talented band j of 40 members, together with an ad vance 'agent, duly arrived it Wellington at the end 'of August. The opening performance' took place at Upper Hutt in September—really, a month or six weeks too soon, in the ; Opinion of entrepreneurs. How evefljj Ifhe performers VEpre pleased', to start.” Trouble began early” iih'en, receiving short .money, the performers had 1 suspicions that till 1 ' enterprise was not financially secure. There were ’ fair: attendances, but, after working a weefcgthe managers openly confessed having%iu> money to carry on. ■' A DWINDLING BAND. ■ ; The performers, having got so far. agreed to make the best of it, and for eight weeks the show toured from Wellington and through the East Coast, the artists receiving a pound or so occasionally. In twos and threw, members left the company, and upon arrival at Thames the remaining members of the circus were in straitened circurstances. The managers then felt disposed to close down, hut the remaining performers insisted on continuing, in default of the payment of their arrears in* wages and fares back to Australia.

The takings at Thames, it was discovered, were €3O, and the mmvgers thereupon called a meeting and expressed a determination to cease operations. The performers replied that they had no money and did not know--what to do. When they awoke next morning, Monday, and went to the cookhouse, they found that the cook had gone, and the larder contained only half a loaf of bred, a little butter, and tea—for eighteen people. The-managers said there was no more tents. READY RESPONSE TO APPEAL Li despa ration the performers appealed to the police, Sergeant McNamara sympathising with them. He tohl them their only remedy was by litigation. He introduced them to Mr Tonge, of the Charitable Aid Board, who, realising their plight, brought the matter under the not'ce of the mayor, Mr S. Elisor. The mayor immediately took the matter up by calling a public meeting, and as a result the local fire brigade and and several other institutions decided to combine and give a benefit night in the circus tent, if it could be utilised.

The managers consented, one agreeing to give his services also, provided he received a percentage of the benefit funds. The benefit entertainment was well attended. In the meantime Mr Tonge placed the whole position in'the. hands of a local firm of solicitors, and the outcome was that the complete show—tents, equipment, and the motor conveyance—passed into the ownership and title of the performers.

The circus hand speak with glowing appreciation of the kindness they received at Thames. On several occasions residents sent so much good f ood that the performers had to request curtailment of supplies to avert waste. More than that, the wayor of Thames handed the troupe a fine testimonial. A change of fortune followed the circus at Pukekohe, where the municipal authorities adopted the unusal course of halving tlie ainount of fee required for license to show in a tent. Continuing its tour of South Auckland three weeks ago, the circus, with the hearty cooperation of all members, has been more successful, and lias actually naid several small dividends, hut encouraging.

“It is our intention,” said the new managing performer, when discussing his experiences and the troubles of lies associates, * “some day to show our thankfullness to the mayor, citizens, and people of Thames. The townspeople there have made a reputation for themselves that will not he forgotten in the 'travelling show world.”