ST. LEONARD’S CIRCUS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1921, Page 5

ST. LEONARD’S CIRCUS.

A BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. A bright entertainment and a variety of pleasing items are the features of St. Leon’s Circus, which opened the New Plymouth season last night. There was a crowded attendance. The programme was marked by a quality which should stand the test of public judgment, and a wholesome and clean humor, welcome to all. The show possesses some very clever acrobats, entertaining equestrians, and numbers of performing dogs with a canine intelligence which, judging by the acts, had been brought up to a high standard by careful training. An item which came in for much approbation was that staged by the St. Leon Acrobats. The performers, three in number, do a variety of tumbling items, marked by originality and cleverness, winning the admiration of all. The statuary turn by the Ranfrew troop of seven, was remarkably effective. In a wire-walking act Milly Golda did some fine work, including the trundling of a single wheel along the wire, which demands a nicety of balancing and <£ood judgment. The Odessa sisters performed daringly, and the “Jumping Jinglers” (three men riding a horse) carried through a bright item. Another act of this type was one in which Fred Raymond manipulates four horses An unusual item was presented by Ray St. Leon and Romulus, the war horse, the act depicting a soldier, recovering after an attack by savages, attending to his wounded The acting of the horse showed an intelligence almost human. With his French mountain sheep, dogs and pigs, Morris presented a clever item, all his charges going through; their turns creditably. Two dogs, trained by Celeste, engaged in a leapfrogging act and hurdling race, and the efforts of these canine pets were much appreciated. Leonard’s twelve French (poodles have many qualifications, including that of climbing a ladder, hurdiling and waltzing, and this item made a very pleasing demonstration. A humorous example of canine sagacity is provided by Jack Aroo and his rabbit do cr in which the latter acts the part of e being “dead”, after a shooting accident. It is a really funny item. In a riding act Sylvester is joined by a fine collie dog, which proves a most helpful partner. A number of humorous turns were given by a retinue of clowne. Tommy and Hie fire-cracker was a funny little item, and a band performance in which the two chief instruments were a trombone and a tin can, was the means of producing a weird musical effect. “Joey and Wilhelm” conclude the programlne with a turn on the revolving ladder, in which their antics produced roars of laughter. A matinee will be given this afternoon, commencing at 2.30, and the season will be concluded with to-night’s programme. The location of the circus is just off Devon West, between Dawson and Mt. Edgecombe Streets.