THE CIRCUS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 75, 31 March 1915, Page 8

THE CIRCUS.

Barton Bros’ Circus, which visited Stratford about 12 months ago, is once more with ns, and will open on Faster Monday. Commenting on the performance the Gisborne Times states: .Not even the famous Wirth Bros in the heyday of their success put on a bigger or brighter performance. With such a host of attractions, it is difficult to know where to commence and individualise. First and foren\ost the company has a string of the most genuine buck-jumpers which have ever come this way. They seem to fairly revel in it,'and. send their heels flying high in the air for very joy of living. And they have the men to ride them, too. No finer exhibition of horsemanship has ever been seen in Gisborne than that given by Broncho Bill. One man-eater, when, .released from the ropes, threw himself and unseating his rider, went wildly pigjumping round the ring. Dashing up to the horse, Broncho Bill took a flying leap upon the animal’s back, and, amid frantic cheering, rode the buckjuniper till it was glad to cry enough. Then Roy Barton, the “bounding jockey,” is an equestrian of marvellous skill. He can ride a horse any old way, and does not trouble about such trifles as bridles and saddles. All he wants’ is the horse. His “Three Horse Picture Act” aroused great enthusiasm. But clever as the men riders were they had a serious rival in a monkey, beside whom Tod Sloan and Mornington Cannon were as babies unborn. The company has in Miss Ethel Ashton the most brilliant flying trapeze and wire rope specialist which has ever come this way. Possessing a charming stage presence this young lady is as much at home on the tight rope and trapeze as the ordinary society belle would he upon a ballroom floor. Thunders of applause followed her wonderfully clear and clever performance. Other notable artists are the St. Leonards', with their wonderful French poodles; the Walhalla brothers, with their trick violin playing; Madame Braenian, an astounding though-reader, and Colonel Marvan, the most, marvellous sharpshooter, of the age.