Saturday, December 14, 1918
SANTOS Y ARTIGAS CIRCO Has Splendid Opening — May Wirth is Well Received — Numerous Features in Reserve for Changing of Bill
Messrs. Santos and Artigas have again successfully launched their Santos y Artigas Circo at the Payret Theater, Havana, Cuba, and since the opening have enjoyed enormous business, the house being sold out at each performance. Through the local press the management announces that all the boxes for the entire season hare been subscribed for, also giving the names of the families securing them. Messrs. Santos and Artigas have by their ardent efforts and congeniality gained an enviable reputation and following for their attraction, always considerate of their patrons’ wishes, as well as the comfort of the performers and other atttaches under their management. The following news (delayed in transit) is contributed under date of November 30, 1918:
“Santos y Artigas opened their 1918 season at the Payret Theater, Havana, Cuba, brilliantly. Thousands of people were unable to get into the theater. Every box in the theater has been sold for the entire season.
“Santos y Artigas boomed and featured May Wirth extensively and she was given a wonderful reception on her first appearance in Havana. She was allotted the distinction of closing the first part and brought down the house with her marvelous riding, the patrons standing on their seats in order not to miss a single gesture or feat. The press of Havana gave the show wonderful notices, making special mention of May Wirth, the evening paper, La Prensa, stating that it was not right to call her the Queen of the Arena, as she was far greater than that. Very few artists have been accorded the reception that was given to May Wirth.
“The program on the opening night ran like clockwork, due to the hard work and creditable efforts of Mr. Stephanie the equestrian director. It is called an all-star bill, which is quite justifiable, according to the reception given the performers. The show made such a pronounced hit that three matinees were given on Sunday and a special matinee on Saturday. Three matinees are called for next Sunday and two specials during the week. The advance sale is enormous, with huge turn-aways at each performance.
“The following artists were chosen by the management for the opening: May Wirth, equestrienne; Jack and Foris, clowns and acrobats; Link-On Chinese Troupe; Mlle. Camille’s Poodles and Leaping Hounds; Bert Hughes’ Cyclists and Basket Ball Work; Pepito, Musical Clown; The Ella Trio, classy hand-balancing novelty; The Arley Trio, perch; The Wirth Family, comedy equestrians; Young and Young, comedy table act; and Herman Weedon’s eight tigers and two lions.
“Among the other acts to be called into the mix from time to time are The Castrillions, acrobats; Everette’s Monkeys (hippodrome of monkeys); The Brock Bros., comedy bar act; Trio Stefany, hand-balancing; The Four Estrallas, equestrians; The Waltons, equstrians; Lulu Davenport, equestrian; Stella Wirth, equestrian; Mijares and Company, famous wire act; The Four Ernstonians, aerialists; The Loretta Twins, bar act; Six Little Devils, ponies; The French Comedians, comedy acrobats; Marie Brock, aerialist; The Four Readings, hand balancing; Kelly and Kelly, pony act; Los Rubios, acrobatic family act; Captain Wilmoth, lion act; Harry Smith, elephant act; Carpi and Nopi, Spanish clowns, and Casi and Cheri, Spanish clowns.
“Chas. L. Sasse, the American representative of Santos y Artigas, can be congratulated on sending to Cuba the strongest bill that has ever entered the island.
“It is estimated that on the first eight performances the receipts ran above $35,000.”
Source:
Pepito & Joanne 