Variety (Apr 1907)

I VARIBTY BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST. Keturning to Madison Square Garden from a trip around the globe almost, dur- ing which "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders" remained away for over four years, the show is once again "home." To numberless people, old and young, the exhibition will be entirely new. The younger generation when Buffalo Bill left these shores was too young to have seen his show, or seeing it, too young to remember. Many of the former features have been retained. The pony express, the stage coach, immigrant train, cowboys, sharp- shooting, and Col. William F. Cody (Buf- falo Bill) are a part of the present enter- tainment, but there is a difference in the presentation of each. A small herd of the now almost extinct buffalo is carried, ' also. The elaborateness of previous years is missing in the "assault by the Indians to be repulsed by the cowboys," and the show moves more swiftly along. There are nineteen numbers on the program, which does not admit of much tare being de- voted to any one. The opening "Grand Review" alone is worth the price of admission, whether paid for a reserved seat or a plain board. No prettier spectacle has ever been wit- nessed in New York City. The entire strength of the Wild West on horses is drawn up in review, headed by Col. Cody. After the salute, the riders circle around in reverse directions, wheeling within wheels, and from a high seat, it is a glit- tering kaleidoscopic moving picture of bright colors and plumes long to be re- membered. The confines of the Garden restricted the stage management to some extent in obtaining the full effect from the scenic productions, of which there are three. "The Battle of Summit Springs," "The <ireat Train Holdup" and "A Holiday at T-K' Ranch" have all received attention to detail. Particularly in "The Battle" are the shades and colorings in the lights Mended to give a most picturesque setting to a scene representing an Indian encamp- ment. A battle between the soldiers and redskins follows, in which of cour>o the red, white and blue is victorious, thus following out historical fact. "A Holiday" i.s used for a diverting linale. even to the introduction of a "Cow- hoy Octet," who render "San Antonio" and "'Broncho Buster," two singing selec- tions singularly apropos. In this ending of the program also appears Ray Thompson's troupe of "high school" horses, lead by Mr. Thompson on « magnificent animal, trained to the point of perfection in the most difficult stepping. The comedy is nicely placed, a number or so before the close, and is brought out through the attempted riding of "bucking bronchos." Annie Shafer, a cowgirl, gains the most applause through being a wo- man, and remaining seated on a beast which is endeavoring to throw her out of the arena. There is a mule, stubborn to the last, and the many funny incidents, Including the rough riding, bring plenty of laughter and applause. lor good horsemanship, the "Veterans Prom the Sixth" may be recommended, they riding in difficult positions, and with CIRGUS NEWS. grace, while the Cossacks, with a general reputation of recklessness and daring on a horse's back, go through a certain routine, without variation, until the work of the Americans is more appreciated. Johnny Baker is doing sharpshooting that is sharpshooting, and Buffalo Bill himself, even under the electric lights, makes some shots that win the admiration of the audience. The Kitamura Troupe of Japanese acro- bats and one of Hassan Ben Ali's acts have the centre to themselves for a few minutes, and there is an artillery drill, Mexican lassoers, Devlin Zouaves, in nicely timed drilling, and horse races. For a first showing the performance ran off with a promptness unusual, and the slow parts will probably be bridged over before many days have passed. The "Bill Show" is going to be liked this season, for it is interesting, instruc- tive, lively and amusing. You can see it more than once, and still enjoy the per- formance. Sime. THE JOHN ROBINSON SHOWS. Cincinnati, April 25. Rain materially interfered with many of the best acts at the opening of the John Robinson shows this week, but the attendance was above all expectations. There are eighty-one turns on the pro- gram. Three large rings with eight stages and platforms are necessary for the enter- tainment. The show starts with the usual grand spectacular tournament. A number of women leave the tourna- ment and join in a grand ballet. Then follows a bounding jockey act by the Holland Brothers, very well done. Hollo- way and Holland do a comic riding act that went big. Johnson and Stearling have a mule hurdle race and Doc Farmer and Lew Bisping in a similar act in the Hippodrome make one of the funniest of its kind in the circus business. Barrie and Hicks, on the bounding rope, a great turn, and Pat Fitzgerald does some odd jug- gling. Miss Reno, slack wire, and Miss Carrays, slack wire, are average turns. The double rolling globe of the Schroder Sisters was very good, as was the bound- ing somersault wire act of James Dutton. Toki Murata on the tight wire is above the average. A double slack wire turn was done by Lenolo and Lenolo and the De Bolien Brothers performed a carrying perch act. Lunderman and White, double slack wire act, were also very good. M. De Armour, juggler, performed no new feats. Marvelous Melville (New Acts). Elephant Bozil and two ponies, directed by Fannie Burchell, introduce a well- trained animal act. Five performing ele- phants, Dick Jones, trainer, is a great act. Elephant "Tom" handled by Geo. Notz, clown, was very funny. Stella Coyle, swinging ladder, was good, as was Fred Rouen on the balancing trapeze. Ellet troupe, aerial bar. made a tremendous hit. Kate Leipnik, on the swinging ladder; Gordon Orton, club swinger, and Mons. Lenolo on the balancing trapeze, were all worthy. Carl Nygaard introduces two lib- erty horses and Kate Holloway drove in a single horse cart which was new and novel. G. M. Burke and his dog and pony show, very good. Winnie Van, a fearless little rider, was enthusiastically and vo- ciferously applauded. Efiie Dutton, eques- trienne, pretty turn. Lanolos, on the Spanish rings, were great. Sisters Lami- son on the Roman ladders are very good. A trick riding turn by the Two Nelsons was greatly enjoyed, as was the act of De Armour on the Roman rings. Minerva Sisters, aerial (New Acts). The two Laudermuns, Roman rings, very good. August Legert in feats of muscular de- velopment does a familiar act. Roinain and Campbell on Spanish rings, the French Sisters, Roman ladder, and the Stearling Brothers, on the Roman rings, are all en- joyed. Kate Leipnik and Mr. Holland and Etta Orton have acts that will please any circus crowd. Miss French and Mr. Hol- land in a menage act could hardly be im- proved upon. Kate Holloway, Stella Coyle and Mr. Holland appear in Ring No. 3 during display No. 0 at one time. Art Forbes, unsupported ladder, and Toki Mu- rata, foot juggler, both fair. Pete Nelson, contortionist, and La Selles, hand balanc- ers, liked. Frank Sisters in boxing and bag punching, very good. Joe Anollets, dancing barrel; the two De Armours, cast- ing, and Les Carrays, on the rolling globe, were good. A novel act was that of Tom Bisping on four horses, as was also a four horse act by Corden Orton. One of the prettiest features of the show was an eight-horse act by James Dutton. Stear- ling Brothers, acrobats, were good. Brock Brothers, comedy acrobats, and an acro- batic act by Arthur Forbes and Master Johnnie Forbes all displayed some origi- nality. The Tossing Lanelles (New Acts). De Bolien Brothers, acrobats, scored heav- ily. The three rings were utilized at one time in a comic drill by the clowns, the second ring in a grand march and drill by the chorus and the third by Capt. James French and his company of soldiers in military manouvers. John Wizard on the trapeze. Mile. Zenta, Spanish Web, and Fred Rouen on Hying trapeze and loop walking leaps and catches, were all good. The star equestrian acts were those <>f Kate Lefpnik and Al Johnson, Irene French and Gordon Orton, Addle Liepnik and Tom Bisping, Geneva Davis and Richard Farmer. The double carrying acts of Kf fie Dutton, Winnie Van and .James Dutton, and T. K. King's Wild West under New Acts. A concert closes the show. Reading. April 24. The Barnum-Bailey circus opened its road season here the 22d, playing to big business and pleasing large audiences. This was repeated on the 23rd, the show remaining in town two days. For so early in the season, a remarkably good showing was made, both in the perform- ance and a tendance. Wednesday evening ■ severe storm arose causing considerable damage and delayed the movements of the show Which «ot away in time to make the following stand however. to the railroad cars immediately after the close of the menagerie at nine o'clock. With the exit of the audience from the arena the tearing down of apparatus com- menced, and proceeded swiftly until the Garden was swept clear of the "Big Show's" belongings. The work was com- paratively light to what will be done when the circus is given under canvas. Charles L. Sasse, the circus agent, will i lose up his year's business this week, and after placing a padlock on his East 14th street office, will sail for London May 21. He had secured some fair con- tracts, but turned these over to others in order to fill commissions for several cir- cuses. Mr. Sasse sails with his instruc- tions for '08 foreign bookings. A deal is pending whereby four of the \V T estern shows may establish a combined headquarters in New York with a man- ager in charge to attend to the local business of all. They have no perma- nent New York offices, although all do some of their booking through a local agent. Henry 11. Thorpe, a veteran circus show- man, and for twenty-five years with the Sells-Forepaugh Circus, died in Columbus this week. Tuberculosis caused his death. He retired from active business seven years ago aft'er a strenuous career, hav- ing been in the thick of most of the big circus fights that enlivened the seasons a score of years ago. Cera 1.1 De Onzo, an animal trainer was severely injured in practice by his big lion, 'Ben Tillman," with the John Robin. son show which opened in Cincinnati this week. De Onzo was putting the beast through its paces in the cage, when it sprang at him. De Onzo dodged just in time, but the lion's powerful claw struck him on the shoulder, tearing his coat into shreds and lacerating the flesh badly. Attendants helped him out of further danger. The incident happened on the circus grounds while the tents were be- ing put in shape and hundreds of visitors crowded around. News of the accident spread rapidly and the mob lushed to the scene. The grounds had to l>e cleared by the police. Polly King and Charles Maynard, who arrived in Cincinnati on horseback from Oklahama, to join the Wild West depart- ment of the John Robinson show, were married April 17 at the show's winter quarters in that city. The Rev. J. Stan- ley, who travels with the outfit, performed the marriage service. The Carl Hagenbeck Circus and Show Company has entered suit against the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company in Cincinnati for damages in the .-urn of $lt,t!15. The cause of action growi out of a wreck occurring on the railroad last October. No unusual excitement attended the "pulling out'' of the Barnum-Bailey -bow ; it the Madison s<|u:ire Garden last Sat- urday night. The animals were removed W. D. Coxey, representing the Ha mum & Bailey Circus, i • In Cincinnati directing billing tie- city. 'I be Bar nam & Bailey -how plays there May '» and 7.