THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN CIRCUS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1149, 16 September 1882, Page 2

THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN CIRCUS.

Last night there was as big a crowd as on the previous evening to witness the performance at the Royal Australian Circus. The entree of the Bedoui i’s to the music of the Military Band was very good indeed, and the numerous gyrations of the horsemen and steeds elicited loud applause from the large numbers of spectators present. The effect was very pretty. Signor Bartolo next appeared on the arena. He is certainly a most inimitable contortionist and we cannot speak too highly of the skill displayed by this gentleman in his performance. He appears to our mind to be composed of indiarubber or gutta Percha. If he has a backbone at all it is quite invisible and he must certainly leave it outside the pavillion. Mr J. Cousins as a fox hunter followed, and performed in excellent style, his riding being greatly appreciated. The horizontal bar by Messrs Tindall and Albert with Mr Max Rinkle as dummy next claimed the attention of the audience. There cannot be the slightest doubt that these artists are thoroughly up to their work and deserved the plaudits awarded them by those present. A “frolic” scene ensued in which Mr G. Gilham and Mr Cusco, the clown, took part, and it could not have been entrusted to better hands. Joe Ketche dressed in true Japanese style next appeared and performed some wonderful legerdemain tricks which were apparently quite incomprehensible to the audience who were perfectly surprised when they saw several yards of ribbon thrown into the ring and suddenly transformed into a Japanese umbrella. Although the egg trick was not successful the others performed by the professor were of a most marvellous description. That beautiful horse Snowflake then entered the ring. This animal must be seen to be appreciated. The Perche act by Signor Bartolo and Mr Woodward was very good, and many people wondered how the performer holding the pole could do it under the circumstances. The Olympian Gladiators appeared next. Messrs Gilliam and Cousins were loudly applauded, and so were all those who took part in this part of the performance. The Roman rings by Messrs Tindall and Alberto went well, and the trick pony Sultan was introduced to the audience, with Mr C. Harris as Clown, in attendance. Sultan is really a beautiful little horse, and the manner in which he waltzed round the ring and obeyed Mr Harris’ order not to jump the hurdle was very good. The tumbling and pyramids company next occupied the attention of the audience, and truly th-ey deserved the applause given to each acrob at as he saluted. After a short interval, the well-known performance of “Di ck Turpin's ride to York " was proceeded wi th. Several of the members of the troupe prot -ed that they were excellent in low come< ly, especially the beadle, Mr Cusco, and his son Sammy, Mr C. Woodward, who was in< jessantly cry out for his “ daddy." i lax Rinkle ably took the difficult part of Di ck, and he did it well. The part of Tom K ing was entrusted to Mr Harris, and Time >thy was taken by Mr G. Gilliam, Black Ba js is a grand animal, and if ska only uy <der-

stood us when we spoke to her we should ring loud praises in her ears. When she was carried out of the ring there was not a move in her, and it shows dumb animals can be trained. Last evening when the drunken frolic was on one blue coat rushed to take the unfortunate man out of the ring and he was with difficulty persuaded to let him go. A bon mot was also perpetrated by Max Rinkle, viz : When he took up the whip in the ring he said that the lash attached to the whip was as long and more stinging than the articles of the Evening Herald. The Matinee this afternoon was w’ell attended, and all who were present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Max Rinkle kept both the children and adults in roars of laughter, and the performers, both human and equine, received rapturous praise. To-night there will be an almost entire change of programme. The Flying Trapeze act and several other novelties will be introduced. The advertisement speaks for itself.