FitzGerald Bros.' Circus and Menagerie.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 139, 28 February 1903, Page 16

FitzGerald Bros.' Circus and Menagerie.

In spite of an unusual combination of attractions in Melba and "The Circus Girl," besides minor shows, FitzGerald Bros. oircUsand menagerie had their full share of public patronage, the huge tent being packed on the opening night. And the performance fully justified the public confidence, for it was marked by great merit and much novelty. The menagerie alone is a whole entertainment m itself and the younger folk .seem, loth to tear themselves away. * * * The circus programme opened with the Cycle Whizz. This act. suggests the idea of a tremendous basin, with four cyclists getting stirred round and round in swift revolution by an invisible spoon . But, when two of the artists, at top speed, ride round one way, and the other pair take the opposite course, it deepens in novel effect and the application, of the word "whizz" becomes fully apparent. The lithe and daring young Arab acrobat, Hadji Tabor, goes through a clever and danng performance on a swinging bamboo while the arena is* being cleared of the "whizz." Later on this same artist exhibits the suppleness of his body by bending and twisting himself in all manner of contortions. A very neat hand-balancdng act, on a pyramid of ohairsi. is given by J. West, and then a different kind of balancers come on in the forms of the elephant Lizzie* and a horse. Lizzie balance® herself on a rolling barrel, stands on her hind and fore feet alternately, and when she rests from her labours to dine in rrublic she knows how to take off her own bib. • * * Miss Amelia Leon and Master Tyler are marvels of agility on the trapeze 1 . Their feats are both graceful and bold. The moving tableau, introducing an

The accompanying phototnaphs are of Mr. Percy L. Brady (manager), Mr. W. Yon Keisenbeirg (secretary), and Mr. Chas. Brown-Parker (instructor) of the Wellington Athletic Academy, which has just been established in Mannersstreet. This institution is being run on lines different from those of ordinary gymnasiums and athletic schools, and will confine its teachings to the Sandow system of physical culture, boxing, and bait-punching. Mr. BrownParker, the instructor, was for years instructor of several large athletic clubs in America prior to joining the Riokards Tivoli Company, with whom he toured Australia and Tasmania as an expert ball-puncher, and he has just finished a successful season, with the Dixs Gaiety Companies in New Zealand. A special feature of the Academy will be boxing and ball-punohingr, and the Sandow system of physical culture will be taught m all its details. Everyone will be delighted with this system of physical culture, and especially the ball-punching and boxing, the like of which for general training has never been seen m Wellington.

episode of the South African war, entitled "Saving the Colours," was full of interest, and was watched, with the closest attention. The famous risley act, by Mr. Tyler and his son, was a very skilful exhibition, and elicited! round after round of the heartiest applause. The trainer of the tiger Kitty deserves special mention for the way which that animal gracefully performs her act. • • ♦ The splendidly-tramed equine stock of the FitzGerald Bros, contribute) mar tenally to the programme. Barbette, for instance mimioa a drunken mam, and, along with Barbelle, executes various other clever feats, showing a high degr.ee of training. Commodore, aa usual, reflects the utmost credit on his trainer (Mr. Dan FitzGerald), while St. George and Silver, in their bellringing, would be a truly great acquisition to an auctioneer's mart. Them, the halfdozen handsome and remarkably intelligent Hungarian horses drill like Tommy Atkins himself. Amongst the equestrians the hurdle and fire-hooD performance of Miss Amy Leon, and the Olympian act of this lady and W. St. Leon, were particularly good. Mr. St. Leon gets an extra round of amplause for his difficult back somersault on a galloping horse. The celebrated lwh-iurnper Bramble, gave a strik'ng exhibition of his powers by clearing 6ft 6in. with ease and grace. A feature of the programme are the iokes of the clown and dummy, mamy of w hich are refreshingly new for a circus. • • • The entertainment is full of change, and is marked by novelty, grace, and skill. More than that it is thoroughly wholesome, go that family parties may bestow their patronage witihout the slightest misgivings. Fitz-GeraJd Bros', shows are always of a high-class character. The high wind of Tuesday prevented any performance on that night, but ever since the show has been; going to tip-top business. Don't miss this circus and menagerie. They well repay a visit.

Craig and Co., of Manners-street, w ant about 25,000 people to call on them in reference to the crisis in China. The Dowager Empress herself would find it difficult to make things livelier than the firm is doing just now. You have smashed a heap of china and earthenware during the year, and it is up> to you to make it good at Craie and Co.'s sale. Everything is marked down to prices that defy the clumsiest housemaid to ruin you.

Mr. Brown-Parker's lessons are thoroughly scientific, practical, and useful, and will appeal to the judgment of those who have given the subject any thought. The more one is interested in physical culture, the more enthusiastao one must become as to its importance in, building up both body and mind to a sound state of health. It is certainly the sure way of prolonging life, and enjoying it by means of perfect physical health. Systematic exercise, intelligently taken and followed, is a godsend to any man or woman. Place the mind in touch with the body — for brain makes muscle — and the body is sure to follow, and hold its own. Flaccid muscles can be developed, im-

The Grand Military Carnival and Bazaar, to be opened on. Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m., in the Drillshed, bids fair to be the most complete affair of its kind ever organised in Wellington. The bazaar will be open every afternoon for the benefit of ladies and children who may not be able to attend at night. Bran tubs, toys, and kindred delights, not to mention regiment® of dolls, at~ tired in up-to-date f asions, will be a joy to the youngsters. ♦ « • A shooting gallery, with a Nordenfeldt quick-firer, using Morris tube ammunition, a skittle alley, and shies at Aunt Sally will enliven the proceedings. As we go to press, t<he arrangementa for the bazaar are complete, and the result is most artistic, thanks to the good taste exhibited by the committee, under the leadership of Captain Davis. • • • The Catholics of Thorndon are commencing an active campaign ,with the object of paying off the debt on the Sacred Heart Basilica, Hill-street. The particular method of warfare employed will be the holding of a bazaar in the DraUshed at Easter, and a special' attraction is being prepared in the shape of a brilliant display, entitled, "Britannia's Call to Arms." For this, Signor Borzoni, already well-known here in connection with spectacular displays, .has been engaged, and has already made a start in drilling the two hundred and fifty young men and young women who will take part. The undertaking is a large one, but so is the debt, and the Catholics of Wellington have never shrunk from any work which would relieve their buildings from liabilities.

paired organs aroused to normal activity, and nutrition generally marvellous^ ly stimulated by these exercise®. For this reason, they are an invaluable means of restoring the weak to health, as well as developing to their 'highest possibilities those already in a healthy state. If people who are averse to the utmost development of man's physical faculties would realise that the highest type of morality can only be reached by a man who has the highest type of physique, they would steer clear of tracts and drugs 1 , and go heart and soul into physical culture. What a gain, to peace there would be, and how moral croakers would cease to. croak. Such an institution as Messrs. Brady, Yon Keisenberg. and Brown-Parker have started must benefit Wellington, morally and physically, and its large membership is a guarantee of its permanent success. The formal opening, for which invitations are now being issued, takes place on Tuesday night. The list of the Academy's patrons shows named of prominent business men, and is sufficient guarantee of the select nature of the classes.