Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-04-13
C|RCUS LEAVES
TONIGHT AF1ER
WINTERS REST

John Robinson's Ten Big Shows will
leave Americus tonight over the Cen
tral of Georgia railway for Macon,
where the first performance of the
1917 season will be given on April
18th.
The big circus, which has been in
winter quarters at the fair grounds in
this city since November of last year,
will begin its long tour of the countrf
with an array of feature acts which
by far surpass anything that the
John Robinson's Shows have ever pre-
sented to the public in former years.
The show this year in reality COM
prises two circus productions, the
HOwe's Great London Shows and the
John Robinson's Ten Big Shows of the
1916 season having been combined for
this year Both of these shows toured
the country separately last year, but
as both were under the same owner
ship, the combination was decided up
on during the winter.
Two trains of % cars each will hau.
the big shows to Macon, moving from
this city about 8 o'clock tonight
While the first performance of the
season is not to be given until Tues
day next, the management desires to
reach Macon two or three days before
that date. so that every small detail
connected with the presentation OF the
program and the system of arrange
ment may be settled without confus-
Ior.
Yesterday afternoon and last night
there were rehearsals of the circus
program, the first rehearsal being con-
siderably abbreviated because OF the
non-arrival of several performers AMI
tie delay in erecting the big top" but
last night the full performance was
staged, each act appearing in its par
ticular place on the program.
All the acts were not carried out in
detail, although a majority OF the
acrobatic work and all of the eques-
trian acts were staged as though the
performance were in the midst OF the
season.
The New Big Top.
The "big top" newly purchased for
this season at a cost of $4,000, is
much larger than the one used last
year, while the seating capacity has
been almost doubled Three rings and
two platforms are used to stage the
performance while the apparatus for
:ie aerialists is suspended over ali
three rings. The dressing tents, horse
tent, menagerie and sid show tents are
also new this season, and every piece
of this canvas has been treated with
paratine to make it absolutely water
proof.
A bis crowd witnessed the rehearsal
last night and was liberal in its ap-
plause of the various features, all OF
which are particularly good. The
acrohatic acts, consisting of families,
d. os and trios, are far above the aver
age. while special features in the way
of trick bicycle riders, contortionists
freak jugglers, ETC., have been added
The riding acts are by far the best
that the circus has ever gathered to-
gether, while Madame Bedini's high
school horses are again one OF the
features of the performance.
The big herd of trained elephants is
another specially meritorious act, anu
one sure to attract attention.
During the rehearsal of the chariot
race at the conclusion of the rehearsal
asst night. one of the horses collided
with tent pole and was thrown into
tie rows of empty seats, but no one
was injured and the animal only
slightly bruised.
Another rehearsal was held this
1,orning at 10 o'clock, and the entire
program given a final shaking down.
Preparatory to the actual resumption
Ct work on the road
Tie departure of John Robinson'5
zen Big Shows from this city after
. t,eir long stay in winter quarters, will
he roted with regret by the residents
81 this entire section, who have come
- highly esteem their neighbors at the
fair grounds.