The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-04-28
1.-THE THREE HATS"
Excellent Amateur Work by
Thespian Comedy
Company.

The young lady or gentleman who has
the temerity to venture into the realm
of amateur theatricals is deserving OF
praise for the mere attempt, irrespective
of any histronic ability he or she may
display. When, therefore. a company as
a whole furnishes as good an evenings
entertainment as that given by the Ines-
plan Comedy Company, criticism Is dis
armed. These young people presented IN
Columbia Hall last evening the farce
comedy ssThe Three Hats" for the-benent
of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, and
their efforts are to be commended
1.-THE Three Hats. deals with Sam
Selwyn, who, taking advantage OF ms
wife's absence from the own mas d
night of it." While the world il in an I'M
steady condition he runs into a party OF
men and gets knocked down. He re-
taliates and punches somebody in the eye,
but before further difficulties can develop
a policeman sends each on his uncertain
way. Mr.. Selwyn soon after encounters
Beauty in Distress" and does what any
gentleman under the circumstances Woufu
do. Beauty is most grateful and pegs the
name of her kind benefaetor, and the
wretch gives her the name OF a young
man who is visiting him. Beauty calls
herself Lottie, and hopes her benefactor
will call upon her. Next morning Selwyn
finds he exchanged hats with some one
during the row. His card was in his hat
and he fears the man who has it will let
the story out. Fred Bethany, the young
man whose name he gave Beauty, is en-
gagged to a young lady named Lottie
Rlithers. and when letters come to him
from her Selwyn thinks they are for him
ana appropriates them. The old mans
endeavor to keep the details of his little
escapade from his wife and the compli-
| cations they give rise to are most lu-
| dicrous. Everyone laughed until they
were tired last evening and even the
| than one occasion, SO overcome was it by
the intensity of the actors efforts.
Mr.. Harry Moore's work as Sam Selwyn
was a finished piece of acting and showed
| that the young man possesses more than
| ordinary dramatic ability. Fred BeHamy
was presented by Mr.. Fred II. Williams
in a manner which won him much well
| earned applause. One of the most dif11-
| cult parts in the play was that of Captain
| Katskill, an Irish officer with an old
| Dutch name. He is a sutton for the hand
| of Selwyn's daughter, and a rolicking
soldier, Just as ready to fight as he is to
drink. of the good old school,, This part
| was filed by Mr.. Bertram Farrant, who
last evening made his first bow over the
foetlights. He has a good stage appear
anee and much dramatic ability, and
when he becomes a little more used to
facing an audience and more at home
with his stage surroundings, will make an
amateur actor. Whatever may be said
of Mr.. Farrant's work last evening it evil
IDENTIFY pleased the audience immensely,
for they almost deluged him with flowers
and overwhelmed him with applause.
One of the best performances of the even
ing was that of Mr.. William Higgins as
Dibbs, the man of all work at Selwyn's,
and that of Mr.. E. K. Terwiniger as Boseo
Blithers. professor of penmanship, was
of equal merit.
The young ladies in the cast were all
charming and acquitted themselves adj
mirably. Miss Minnie L.. Smith, who was
general manager of the entertainment
was Mrs. Selwyn, and Miss Emma K.
Meerbott was her daughter, Grace. Tillie,
a parlor maid, was presented by Miss
Anna Cook, and Miss Carrie Lutz was
Lottie Blifhers, Bemamy's fiancee. The
performance will be repeated this even
ing. Much of the enjoyment of the enter
tainment was contributed by the Wes'
Side Orchestra, an excellent amateur or.
ganization.
After the performance Mr.. Harry Moore
was presented with a beautiful opal pir
by the Rev. William e. Sanft, in behalf
of the ladies of the church. Mr.. Moore
made.a short address of thanks. A col
lation was served TO the members of thu
company in the hall dining room.