ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1921, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY’S. WM. DESMOND AND GLADYS ‘ LESLIE. William Desmond fits in perfectly with the character of “Larry Donovan” in “White-washed Walls.” The comedy is a travesty on the comic opera happenings which take place in certain Latin-American States. Larry gets into “bad odour” with Governor Romero, who has employed him ar? a sculptor on his new palace, when he knocks out his generalissimo with a decanter. Rosa, the demon vampire of Altamura, plots as well as she vamps, with the result that Larry is led to the .“White-washed Walls” several times to be shot, but each time his quick wit saves him. Desmond never did better comedy than ho does in this production, and he carries out the comedy-burlesque idea to perfection. The charming Gladys Leslie also appears in “The Alating,” a really happy picture—a probable story of real people and a wholesome delight to all. The bill includes excellent supports. THE PEOPLE’S. “A ROMANCE OF THE UNDERWORLD.” To-night is the final screening of Catherine Calvert in a very excellent screen draflia, “A Romance of the Underworld.” Life in Chinatown, the Bowery after dark. Little Italy Blackwell’s Island, the Tombs, the Criminal Courts Buildings, and the Bridge of Sighs and the; great East Side —all pictured to the life and aglow with ac tion. Catherine Calvert is supported in the “Romance of the Upderworld,” by David Powell, Eugene O’Brien, Edwin Forsberg and Sybil Carmen. The bill includes latest gazettes, “Elmo the Fearless” No. 2, and comedy. OWEN AIOORE TO-MORROW. To-morrowX new bill commencing at the matinee and presenting Owen Moore in “The Desperate Hero,” is an entertaining comedy containing many amusing situations. The action is fast and the feature is a fine attraction—the complications in which the resourceful but temporarily luckless hero finds himself involved furnishes endless food for mirth. “FLOSS” ON MONDAY. The Digger and his canine marvel, “Floss,” have been specially engaged for a four-night season, commencing on Alonday night. to bring her to' New Zealand was not granted, and she therefore embarked on the Rimutaka in a kit bag. She was allowed to live, out had to undergo a very strict quarantine test after reaching New Zealand. ST. LEON’S CIRCUS IN EARLY ’FORTIES. In the year 1842 there was pitched on the corner of York and Market-streets, Sydney, now occupied by the imposing warehouse of Henry Bull and Co., a calico sidewall, supported by freshly cut saplings, which grew in prolific numbers in the immediate vicinity. Large tallow flakes were used at night time to illuminate the interior, where seating oi tfee crudest description was ££gvided

for spectators. An orchestra consisting of a couple of fiddlers, a tin whistle, and a sheepskin drum, discoursed the popular melodies of the day. Here it was that the amusement seekers of Sydney gathered nightly. On the walls of the city were pasted “huge” (?) one-sheet posters, announcing “Gus St. Leon’s Circus had the honor of presenting a firstclass company of eight actors of eminence, also the only man in the world who ever stood on a horse’s back.’” This, then, was the origin of the circus in Australia- The St. Leons of to-day are the great grandchildren of the Gus St. Leon of ’42. If only their ancestors could see to-day the circus provided by his descendants. The eight actors of eminence now number 58. The. rider who was the first man to “stand” on a horse’s back, is replaced by ladies and gentlemen turning somersaults thereon. His “two fiddlers and a tin whistle” would sound very flat against the magnificent professional brass band of 14 soloists. Instead of tallow flares, one of the most modern lighting plants in existence provide the illuminations, while, though there certainly are different prices of admission, as in days of yore, to-day every patron has a comfortable seat. The “calico sidewall” gives way to a huge canvas marquee, measuring 80 yards long by GO yards wide. The array of beautiful thoroughbred horses and ponies would, indeed, be a revelation. Yet St. Leon’s Circus of to-day embodies all these modern improvements, and is regarded as an institution throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and in New Zealand. The circus will open its New Plymouth season this evening. There will be a matinee performance at 2.30 p.m. tomorrow in addition to the evening performance.