Royal Australian Circus.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4406, 16 February 1883, Page 2

Royal Australian Circus.

Messrs Woodyear and Boss opened last night in their large tent on the Piako Fiat to a good audience. There was a long and varied programme, and every item passed off to the satisfaction of the audience. The entertainment commenced with a grand entree, which vras very carefully led by the only lady performer in the Circus. Bartolo, the contortionist, next appeared on the scene, and his extraordinary movements excited the wonder of those who saw him; his graceful tumbling, his twisting, the manner in which he tries to shake his head off, and the uses he puts his limbs to were really astonishing. The property elephant "Jumbo " was very amusing, and the two individuals who helped the illusion, had apparently made a careful study of the movements of the pachyderm. No programme having been supplied we are unable to give the performer's' names. The trapeze acts were daring and graceful; the performance on the wire rope was cleverly executed, the executant indulging in hat spinning, drum beating, &c:, while balancing himself on a slack wire about 6 feet high. The clowns were very amusing, the horsemanship was good, and the horizontal bar acts as well done as we have ever seen them. By far the strongest department in the circus is ' the acrobatistn. The tumbling is very good indeed, Bartolo, Mathews, Wood war J, and Cozens particularly distinguishing themselves iv their saltatory movements. The very little Japanese jugglery done was clever, and the trick pony Sultan shewed evidence of eawfal training. The evening's - entertainment closed with a very amusing. steeplechase, in which the whole of; the , company took part. The. merits of the. entertainment warrant a full attendance to-night. To-morrow afternoon there* will be a performance, for which a special programme to suit children has been arranged.