WIRTH’S JUBILEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4405, 23 January 1930, Page 3

WIRTH’S JUBILEE.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE CIRCUS.

Wirth's Circus always provides a distinctive feature of Foxton’s amusements every two years, but this year a special effort will be made to surpass all previous entertainments, for this is the circus jubilee year, and it is the intention of Messrs Phil and George Wirth, (lie only survivors of the original company, to see that it is made really memorable. Wirth’s name has figured largely in Anstralias entertainment since 1878 when Mr. John Wirth and his four -sons, Harry, John, Phillip and George, opened a show, assisted by a few Japanese performers in the School of Arts in Tamwortli. Fifty years ago in the Old Paddy’s Market, where the Capitol in Sydney now stands, this courageous band of entertainers opened a show, iit a rather small way, each of the family appeared in three turns during each performance. From sup'll a small beginning the organisation grew -till the circus row (travels with 128 people. The circus will play in Fox ton on Friday, January 31, one night, only. At the cost of £5,000 Wirth Bros, have bought the greatest pure white Polar and brown bear act in the world, seen positively at every performance.

Some of the new artists are: — The Lias Troupe of s'ix Risley acrobats, the highest salaried artists in the world; the flying La Mars made Sydney’s hair stand on end with their extraordinary trapeze work, and (lie three Areonas —to mention but three of the star turns —made many thousands gasp with astonishment at their wonderful balancing* feats, the beautiful Betty Areona fully substantiated her claim to the title of “the most daring woman in the world,” iClaudia Alim, world’s famous feminine athlete and partner, and Mr. P. Wirth jun., trained horses and ponies. Then there are new brained animal acts, the -Santey Duo, Miss Madeline, famous for her serpentine da'nce on horseback, Miss Gladys’ big'll school horse and Miss Doris’ golden horse. Fully a score of other turns round out a beautiful programme which is preceded by an hour allowed for the inspection of the animals in the menagerie whose numbers have been added to since the show visited this town, includes two black panthers, 2 baby leopards, G white 'Polar bears and 5 brown bears. Zoo opens from 4 to 5 p.m.