WIRTHS' MONSTER CIRCUS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4094, 22 April 1892, Page 2

WIRTHS' MONSTER CIRCUS.

A Colossal Sbow. : < ■An Avalanche of "Wonders. Unbounded enthusiasm I A tidil wave of novelties 1 An avalanche of wonders I An ooe-.n of heal thful fun I These ore peculiarly expressive words, but they do not adequately describe the gigantio success attending the opening in Masterton last night of Wirih Bros' monster circus. No sooner were the doors ot the huge tent thrown open than a stream ot pleasure-seeking humanity poured in, struggling for spots of vantage, until when the programme commenced two thousand persons must have ■ been congregated- together. A larger audience has never been seen iu the Wairarapa, Everybody went expecting to see big things and none were disappointed. The vast multitude which had assembled sat awe-stricken, paralysed to such an extent with enthusiasm that it could not even applaud. The show was stupendous. From eight o'clock till eleven three rings were filled with the most clever and accomplished performers, whole daring acts created wonder and surprise. The opening procession gave but a small idea of the strength of the Company. The Roman entree and country dance with horses, which followed astonished all. The introduction of the clown element —the. life of the show—could not have been placed in hotter hands than those of Tom Griffin (a real negro), whoaang a negro song in fine style. Then came the:" fiipdap act" on horseback, in which' Master Carl performs the extraordinary feat of turning somersaults on horse 1 - baok whilst the animal is at full gallop. At the same time Master Herbert and Valazie are performing some wonderful equestrian feats. The trick ponies John Bull, Sultan, and General next enter the rings and do credit to their trainers, whilst a couple of other pomea are see-sawing in a most approved fashion. Mr Mont > gomery and Miss Wirth follow with the, statue act, their horsemanship being exceedingly clever. Mr P. Wirth and Masters Carl and Herbert giyean exhibition of riding which evokes loud applause. Mr Murray gives an aorobatic performance on the horizontal bar whilst two children of tender years, little Gertie and May, istonish the audience by their tightrope walking. Miss Marizles Wiith's juggling is really wonderful, as iB also the balloon act of Miss Edith. The trick ponies Pet and Satan display an extraordinary amount of sagacity, and do things which one could hardly dream of being undertaken by a horse. Miss Madeline, who is an accomplished equestrienne, appears on the N, Z, stallion Bahnockburn and is followed by the Messrs P. Wirth, Montgomery, and Valaize, who perform on the horizontal bar on horseback—a most daring feat. Miss Gertie and May give an exhibition with tho Indian Clubs, and Miss Edith introduces the wreath act. Shrieks and howls of laughter are caused by the clowns who : enter the tent playing on a trombone and big drum a Salvation Army air. Miss Madeline astonishes the audience as she passes on horseback through a (ire-hoop. Intense amusement 1 is caused by a performing pig, and the ecoentrio conduct of . the clowns. , Five hor6e acts ' are performed by Messrs Brinsden and George Wirth, and Master i Eugene does'some really wonderful i bead balancing. As bounding jockeys ■ Messrs Montgomery and P. Wirth again appear, and are followed by a performance on a double trajjeze by ; the Valaizes, which causes people's | hair to stand on end with amazement, , Mr H, Benham hy his chair balancing makes the wonderment the greater,' i and as the enthusiasm of the audience ' is boing aroused to the very highest ' pitch by the wonderful feats on the 1 wire rope by Miss Marizles, an inter- . val of ten minutes is announced, and \ a temporary relaxation from the effects of over joy is afforded tho i crowd..

_ The second part of the performance is oven nw bewildering thin the first, which is possibly accounted for by the faot that one number only is being produced at a time. Mr George Wirth's eight horse riding eolipsos anything of the sort before seen, wjiilst the Eotpan pyramids by sixteen members of the Company a$ delight" fully pretty. A two horse Soman standing race over hurdles is followed' by a national race between an Indian, Cowboy, and Mexican, j boys' pony hurdle raoe, a race between a man and a horee, a ladies' and gentlemen's fiurdjfi fafe, atjd a clown's pony and niqie'rape. Eugene Jjneebonp, mo champioi) athlete, gives'au pxhjbitipn of his strength, throwing a solid B()lbs weight abpflt as thougli it were a sixpence. Intense amußomont is caused by the conduct of a couple of clowns, who endeavour to ride a bucking horse, The whole show, wbioh is of gigantic proportions, is concluded with a grand national steeplechase by lady and gentlemen jockeys, .over water jumps, and mounted on New Zealand blood horses and prep, k Difltlliee for children will be given tills (Friday) afternoon, and an entire chatige of programme will be presented this evening. '