The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-14
THE CIRCUS
BY AMATEURS.
Local Talent to Appear in the
SaWdust Ring.
WILL VII. BE a GREAT l:;l SHOW
The Performance to Be Given in, the
Horse Show Building on the Fourth
ofJuIY-Prominent Men in
New Roles.
WILL BE A GREAT SHOW

An amateur circus. which bids fair to
eclipse any local entertainment ever pre-
scented in Richmond. is to be given in the
Horse Show building on the Fourth OF
July. The first performance OF this kind
ever presented here Is well remembered,
and those who Witnessed the novel spec
taclo have. even now. two years after
the event. a vivid recollection of that en-
tertainment which was declared to be
the most unique and novel Show ever
attempted by clever Richmond amateurs.
That record still holds good. for nothing
since has quite equalled It as an innova-
ton In amateur performances.
That much usedg term among circus
press agents. better and larger than
ever" will no doubt we'll apply to the
two performances which are to be given
in the great anphitheatre. known as the
Horse Show building. on the glorious
Fourth If place had been specially
built for the purposes Of such perform
ance. It could not have met every re-
qulrement better than does the great
amphitheatre at Reservoir Park. AS soon
as the Bostock animal show vacated the
place. the Horse Show Association at
once commenced the work OF restoring
the building. and 1t will be placed In Just
the condition 1t was when the great
equine exhibition was given in Richmond
last fall.
FINE PLACE FOR THE SHOW.
When the amateur circus was given
with such success az the auditorium In
May two years ago. It required an i'm
mense amount OF work to get the build
Ing In shape for the performance. Tons
of dirt and sawdust had to be hauled to
the place, and even with this spread sew
eral inches deep on the floors. II was not
sufficient to keep the horses hoofs from
striking the planks. This will not have
to be contended with at the Horse Show
building. however. for the great tanbark
arena will not only accommodate thres
rings, but will admit OF the introduction
closing event, no big circus Is COM
plete
The seating arrangements. OF course
are all that could be desired. The benches
rise In tiers, SO that each person. no mat.
ter where his seat may be located, COM
mands full View Of the arena.
A GOOD DATE.
The seleGi Ion Of date for the enter,
tainmep NJ seems quite happy one, fol
the GU Jus Fourth, to the thousands OF
people who prefer to remain In the city
rather than encounter the sitting crush
Incident to the excursion trips, often
proves quite dull day, almost Sunday
like In Its quietness.
To these the amateur circus will prove
most attractive and will afford means
OF recreation either for the afternoon OF
night. for two performances are to be
given.
The show itself will be we'll worth
seeing. as was that at the Auditorium two
years ago. Prominent men In all the
walks OF lfe-professional mon and
business men, all more or less identified
as leaders in their vocations-will lay
aside their calling for the day, and each
in new role will make his appearance
In the sawdust ring, No one knows what
he can do until he tries and even Judge
may on Independence Day, for get the
bench and kick up the sawdust with his
heels, He may prove the aptness OF the
saying that "a little nonsense now and
then" etc.
Richmond laughed until its sides ached
at the antics that took place In she arena
at the Auditorium. and another such op.
portunity Is to be given on the Fourth
This Is only the humorous side of the
n.estinn. however, There will be acrobat1e
acts that are really clever, and which
would not be out Of place In a profes,
sional perfOrmanca