WIRTHS’ CIRCUS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 303, 14 March 1928, Page 15

WIRTHS’ CIRCUS

CONTINUED POPULARITY More popular even than on the day of its arrival, Wirths’ Circus continues to attract hundreds of patrons to the old dock site. At ever:/ performance the enormous tents are crowded with delighted audiences, spell-bound by the daring and audacity of the actors, both animal and human. For variety alone the circus eclipses by far any show previously brought to town. Wirths themselves say that they have never brought round a better or more comprehensive show, and all those who have seen their performances will heartily concur. In a word it is an entertainment for young and old. What can be achieved by kindness and sympathetic training must be seen to be believed. Performers range from a towering clown —he is round the Bft. mark to a wonderful bear that rides a threetier bicycle or skates with equal facility. Among them are elephants that balance on their front feet only, jugglers, acrobats, trapeze artists, a man who appears to be most, comfortable on his head and slides a tightrope in that position, lions that do all manner of tricks, horses that are almost human. including a beautiful golden-coloured animal that poses perfectly, a lady who dances in the Sons' den. an Indian trick cyclist who is nothing short of marvellous. Intelspereed are all the usual circus stunts and animal tricks. Lionel Barrymore is credited with the outstanding characterisation of his career in Gloria Swanson’s latest picture "Sadie Thompson, based on W. Somerset Maugham's dramatic south Seas story. "Miss Thompson.” Barrymore's part is that of the despotic reformer Oliver Hamilton, whose efforts to effect the salvation of the outcast, "Sadie Thompson.” culminate in one of the most surprising climaxes ever Greeted by Raoul Walsh thedmector of the world-famous M hat , l J e Glory ” Sir. Walsh also has one ot the leading masculine roles opposite the star.