CIRCUS WONDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1922, Page 6

CIRCUS WONDERS.

WIRTH’S EXCELLENT SHOW. The fascination of a circus tp young and old was again demonstrated at New Plymouth on Saturday night, when Wirth Bros.’ remarkable combination of menagerie, amazing acrobats and performing wild animals appeared before a crowded audience, which filled the huge tent. There were all those things of delight and wonder which one has associated with a circus since youth —the collection of wild beasts, horses galore, clever acrobats, funny men, etc. The approach to the »main tent was through a smaller one around which there was an interesting array of animals including elephants, lions, tigers, leopards, monkeys, bears, wolves, etc., excellent specimens, and a source of great interest, especially to the young. For some minutes these animals provided a study full of interest; and then came the show proper, and for two and a half hours the audience was thoroughly delighted. Clever acrobatic horsemen are known to all who frequent the circus, but it is difficult to recall a more clever set of artists in this branch than those seen on Saturday night. Alfred Clarke is a master of intricate horsemanship, and he performed all manner of clever “stunts” on a galloping horse. A serpentine dance on horseback by Miss Datoie was a notable turn, while the trick riding by Miss Ethel Wirth, the six-horse act by F. Freeman and the double jockey turn by Freeman and A. Christie were all distinctly clever. Of the animal turns the most impressive—almost startling—performance was that of captain Lindo, who spent what appeared quite a comfortable time in a barred enclosure with four lionesses and a bear. The bear appeared to be the most genial of the captain's strange companions, and nothing ferocious could be expected from this bear as it waddled to do its master’s bidding, such as various trick turns, drinking a bottle of milk, etc., and finally ambled across theenclosure arm-in-arm with Captain Lindo. The lionesses snarled and generally behaved as a- lioness should but Captain Lindo displayed amazing control over the beasts and at his call they performed some excellent leaping acts. The finale, a high leap by a lioness through a ring of fire, was startling. Before the an.mils are left a word must be said for Apdale’s zoo, which the programme truly describes as a “dog and money circus, introducing marvellously trained hears, monkeys, dogs, ant-eaters and the grc’»t. baboon combination.” It is a good anl true description. The antics of these marvellously trained animals are nothing short of wonderful, and the act ranks with the best ever seen in the ei’-eus ring. The variety of acrobatic turns was a wonderful feature of the circus. The Uyeno troupe of Japanese performed lightning somersaults in a bewildering manner, and in one .turn the whole party performed somersaults, forward, backward and sideways. One member of this party was the author of a sensational act standing on his head on an aerial trapeze.xand in this awkward attitude he completely astounded the audience by drinking a class of liquid while balancing on his head. Twisting, twirling and somersaulting in a bewildering way appeared easy to this troupe. The Flying Lloyds provided another wonderful' turn. They are particularly clever f rick gymnasts and their aerial acts were skilful and desperate to a decree. A triple somersault from a stand ?n mid-air was the most thrilling act of these desperate fellows. Miss Belle Oura is a trapeze artist of distinct ability.

A performance which will be remembered after others arc forgotten is that of Albert Gihnett, who. as the programme declares, gives a “lesson on how to fal] from housetops.” Both clever and amusing this artist concluded a brilliant turn by falling from a veritable mountain of tables, and he came out of the collapse much easier than many people alight from a tramcar. This was not all, for it was a long programme filled with a variety of really great “stunts,” and altogether made up a performance which will ensure a warm welcome when Wirths return next ye?.