BARTON BROS.' CIRCUS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 256, 8 April 1915, Page 8

BARTON BROS.' CIRCUS.

A FlNt; PKRFGKMANCE. Barton Bros.' Circus, which is now a household word throughout .New Zealand us a circus entertainment, has nvule vor.rapid progress to its present proud place, for it is only six years since its enterprising proprietors launched it and com- 1 nienccd. their annual tours. A reputation for providing a good, clean, and wholesome entertainment, and also for keeping faith with the public has been enhanced" and packed houses have been the rule. This was the case in New Plymouth last night, when the commodious tent was crowded. The -bill-of-fare was so entertaining—there was not one dull moment in the three hours of varied amusement that a return visit will be looked forward to with pleasurable anticipation. From the opening overture by the band to the playing of the National Anthem, every item interested and pleased the large audience. The horses, without which no circus would be complete, were excellently trained and splendidly handled. F. K. liarton proved a host in himself in the tlirea-horse driving act, and also in the bare-back jockey act, in which he performed amazing feats of agility. Silver King, the High School Hungarian pony, showed remarkable sagacity in performing numerous tricks. The small pony ridden by a monkey proved a groat favorite with the children. The St. Leonards provided an entertainment themselves in their numerous turns. Their chair-balancing act gave a distinctly new touch to this usual accessory, especially when Miss St. Leonards bore the whole weight of four chairs—a tottering structure on which the male members nonchalantly mounted," The ''business'' introduced was clever. Tt was, however, their tinv little fllufi'y dogs that most endeared themselves to the audience. The pyramid effects were good. The tiny terrier that stood on his head in St. Leonards' hand, after turning a double somersault, nearly brought down the house. Miss Eltliel Ashton, an old favorite, easily maintained her claim to the title of the "Queen of the Aerial Bars." Fearlessly she performe! feats up against the roof of the tent that at times made the more timid of the audience tremble for her safety, but all were, cleanly and cleverly carried out with characteristic grace. Her piece do resistance was the "double dislocation act," and one could only marvel how it was done. Her dental performance was a triumph of skill and strength Hanging by the heels she did wonderful feats with her teeth, holding a trapeze on which a young member of the troune performed clever (volutions, and finally raising a heavy member of the audience in a similar manner, whilst a lighter member will remember he- visit for many a day after the. teetotum she made him appear. Master .Lindsay Barton, the juvenile contortionist, twisted himself with ease into all sorts of uncanny shapes. The wire-walking act was on a high plane of excellence. The Waldorf troupe, six in number, gave some fine representations of ancient and modern statuary. The musical sketches by the Walhalla duo were of a high standard of excellence. The Alton trio delighted with their acrobatic and tumbling comedy acts. All the clowns were comical, and convulsed the audience with their "business" and book, most of which was fresh. The entertainment concluded with "fun in a stockyard," in which a mild-looking pony was introduced. Several solid members of the audience tried to ride him, and, though some looked as if they ought, to have been able to carry him, the little oijiiino threw them ail with ease. A great, feat of horsemanship was then shown by ISull'alo Vernon, a pupil of Queensland Harry. He stuck to Tornado, a vicious brute that bucked in a businesslike manner. His performance was greeted with spontaneous applause, and was a fitting end to an exhilarating evening.

THE COASTAL TOUR. Coastal residents are in for a treat that seldom comes their way, as Barton Bros, are touring round the mountain with the whole of their show, which is much brighter and better than it has previously been. Its previous visit to the coast was a striking success, and this one promises to be even more so. The circus shows at Okato to-night, at Rahotu to-morrow, at Opunake on Saturday, and at Manaia on Monday,