The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-01
SOCIETY CIRCUS IS
NOT AMATEUR|SH
Two Big Audiences See
Show at Jefferson
TRAINED CHORUSES
Dancing and Motion Work Is Fin
ished-Roman Ladder Gymnasts
Do Good Work-Drill Work
Exceptionally Well Staged
by RALPH n. SILVER

1tObdDly tue pt0t~llihe. tiot NdA "
said about the fourteenth annual so
ciety circus is that with one or tive
minor exceptions there is not tinge
of amateurishness about it.
The circus was given yesterday mat
inee and last night at the Jefferson
theatre to crowded houses at both per
formances. The house was especially
taxed to capacity last night and the
immense audience thoroughly entered
into the spirit of the,acts with the re-
suit that the circds is proven to be
one of the best ever staged in Bir-
mineham.
To single out any one or any hall
dozen acts as the stars or those de-
serving of most praise would be un-
just and impossible. The uniform quail
ity of the show from beginning to end
was one of it's best features. 1t was
iammed full of action and genuine art
every act taking off its particular fea-
ture with a vim and precision that was
highly pleasing.
eral choruses They were trained ev
eryone to the last movement and their
dancing and motion work was as good
and much better than many of the
professional shows seen on the same
stage this winter
The Roman ladder gymnasts, directed
by Harry Miles. We're so perfect in
their work and artistic figure making
that nothing like it has been seen in
Birmingham this season. Every man OF
the eight was apparently perfect and
the scenic effects as they formed the
many different figures on the two lad
ders was splendid. The r c. T. male
chorus was received by the audience
figuratively speaking, with open arms
The large body of men under the di-
rection of Stephen Allsop produced
vocal music such as has been heard
in Birmingham but few times. even by
professionals. Their harmony and ex.
preston was excellent and well de.
served the high praise it received. es-
pecially their first number 1.-THE Sol
diers Chorus"
The work of the intermediate classes
particularly the boys. in drill work wa,
exceptionally we'll staged and vel
trained. They went through intrieat,
and artistic figures without a singl,
hitch and proved they had spent man,
hours of practice.
The living statue work was well done
| Once or twice the statues swayed
bit. either from excitement or from
nervousness, bun the effect was not los
and several of the poses were excel
/ lent The Dying Gaul' and "rhe ,
Wrestlers. especially deserve men
ton
one of the genuine hits of the even
ing was the society circus calliop
under the direction of DR.. James i
Dedman and Harry Miles. There wer
some 20 or so boys. each fitted on
with bottle of different size so tina
when it was blown across the moutl
j, it produced a different note of tn
scale The boys lined up and Mr. Mile
| and Mr.. Dedman stood in front of then
using their batons to keep time an
pointing at each boy as it was his turl
to blow. The effect was surprising
for it not only produced some fine har
mony but. expression and unity wer
easily attained.
The high parallel bars, the novelt
tumbling, the cloud swing, flying ring.
clown drill, hand balancing, tenni
drill, artistic dancing and other fea
lures were all well done and smacke
so strongly OF the professional that
was hard to believe the performer
We're local people.
But two things remain which wer
of especial merit the menae eerie par
ade and the potlatch double sextett,
The parade was from the brain of Wal
Iter Blackmon and was staged durin
| the high and lofty tumbling act Th
Chamber of Commerce band whic
played as much out of tune as nos
sible was to demonstrate the chambe
harmony the three city commission
ers were represented in very recos
nizable characters. Mr. Exum with
suitcase bound for Atlantic city. NJ
| Weatherly with large cigar in hi
mouth and the smok estack under hi
arm, and Mr.. Lane logged out in
genuine Roman toga and all the a,
coutrements of the Roman statesma,
Besides there was the O'Neal admins
tration with monkey in a cage. tn
"ex-convict department" in the shar
OF battered up old elephant, Brook
Lawrence in very thirsty appearin
camel and Birmingham in the shape {
very small and helpless boy held u
by masked men representing the pull
lie utility corporations
The potlatch sextette was probabl
one OF the most artistic numbers c
the programme. The curtain rising ws
splendid. giving view of Indian Ii
that was extremely artistic The Il
dian princesses and American cowbo,
then proceeded to give dances an
drills which were done in the best
style. In harmonious movement and q
effect that promised of exceptions
talent in every participant
The circus is given for the benef
OF the Holy Innocents hospital ar
from the large crowds it is evidel
I rfr~ .