WIRTHS CIRCUS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 89, 17 April 1902, Page 2

WIRTHS CIRCUS.

It is only such a thoroughly popular and up-to-date show as that provid«d by Wirth Bros, that could attract such a v»st crowd as that which filled the enormous tent on the Mount E'iot Reserve on Wednesday evening. The assemblage was a great tribute to the reputation of the company, and probably stimulated the various artists to do their best; csrtaioly from first to last the performance was one of ex-

oeptional brilliancy and marked with

that artistic finish for which Messrs Wiith are noted. Every item was loudly applauded, and the clowning business created onanuous and hearty laughter—the younger portion of the spectators being, as usual, lavish in their demonstrations of deliaht and pleasure, The entertainment commenced with a trnmpultue leaping net, in which flw athletes mads some mar-

vellous flights and double somersault?. Master Alexander was very graceful

and clever in his riding and vaulting and greatly pleased the juvenilis, tittle Masing.i, ns a contortionist, is a living wonder, the ease with which he performs feat* which appear almost impossible, adds to the charm of the exhibition. Everyone knows that greyhounds can leap well, but until the performances of the magnificent dogs possessed by Messrs Wirth is seen, few will r-r f dit the extraordinary distance tha 1 ; highly trained animals can cover. It was a 'magaificent gpeotacle and evoked rounds of applause. The bucking elephant created roars of laughter. A swarm of juvenile candidates for the prizs of £1 competed for the privilege of being unseated from the back of the loose-skinned monster. The result was the same in every ease —-a slight shiver of the skin or shoulders of the ijlephan:■ suffering to ilislodg:i the aspirants for fame, whose discomfiture caused universal merriment, Tony's troubles with his pony produced great amusement, the pony exhibiting almst hitman intelligence. Miss Mariz'es gave an exhibition of juggling on horseback that was a revelation of skill in balancing under mo j t trying circumstances, the confidence and dexterity displayed oommending the clever artiste to the warm favour of the spectators. The brothers Aldean gave a highly diverting and expert turn under the heading of " Fun in a gymnasium," and 'Messrs Pedra and Williams fairly thrilled thoie present by their marvellous performance on the Roman rings, their double somersaults in 'mid-air being superbly executed. Miss Edith Wirth in h»r hurricane hurdle act proved t» what, perfection the art of bare-bicked ridiDg and leaping cap be brought. Ir, was a marvel of skill and a triumph of art. A riding bear would spptar to most people as an awkward and clumsy business, but "Jack" is an escopion, in this respect, and is particularly brisk, whjlo the antics of the baboon

valet " One of the greater irea.* of the whole entertainment wns Mr Phil Wirth's exhibition of trained horjes, a truly wonderful show of eultivatsd animal intelligence. The two hoxing pinieg also displayed the result of thiir own and their trainer's elevenses. On the horizontal bars was given a expert per formanc?, enhancad by the drollery of the clowns A bright young lady of tender years gave an astonishing performance on the tigh". wire, on w-ich

she appeared quits at home, her balancing powers being marvellous, and hr-r movements clever a.r,d graceful. The entry of tha cage of tigers was tha signal for not a fW to make for the exit op-ning in the tent, but there was not tht> i-ligbtest occasion for anyone to stir an inch. Possibly the sections of the immense s y «vl e/gel which eucirclad tha ring appeared huil I and the worso for wear; bui so far as thu tigers wew concerned it was evideot from the flwtthat M>rs, Riogaul hid them under oJmplete control, and thd way in which ha handled thcto, especially whan putting on the harne>s ■>f the two who drew the chariot, showed that traimr and animals wore on the best of terms with one another, It whs decidedly a masterpiece of its . kind, nnd free from all unpleasant exhibitions of savageness or irrigation on the part of the ?ig*r». As a whole, the entertainment was of a v-ry high order, nnd a k.gi number who were pre-out: las 1 , night; will probably again bo amongst the large srowd which is

expect' d fliis A raa inee will be given this afternoon, and as Ihu sell vols will bo sp;caly closed and children admitted a' Is, the-e shou'd be a very large must.or of yoiMj; folk and tlieir guardians.

This nveninij a change of pj'og'amnie will be made, and as it is to be thu las-, night c,f thesetson, there should not bo a vacant seat.

£onv> dissatisfaction was expressed by t';e occupants of the i* seats tha-. chiirs were not provided as is usually th- ras ; pvsibl, 'his any he rectifie I this evduii g,