The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1904-11-19
KING OF TIE PHILIPPINES
Our Own Club Opens the Dra-
matte Season at the
Peoples Palace.


Our Own Dramatic Club gave the
first performance in the pretty theatre of |
the Peoples Palace The play was
"The King of the Philippines a farce
comedy, in three acts. by Bernard Fran
els Moore. The scene is in Chicago,
which perhaps accounts for the extraor
binary social circumstances. Only in the
Windy City would it seem possible for
lady who wasn't insane to openly en-
courage the attentions of her brothers
valet with the complete approval Of that
gentleman. Mrs. e. T.. Calvin played
the part of Jerusha Graham. and one
can only say she had the courage of her
convictions in essaying so unattractiye
and disagreeable a role.
The plot turns on .misdoing of John
Graham, who is described on the pro-
gramme as a gay old boy" He has
pretended to go to the Philippines, but
in reality has disported himself in Cali
fornia after the manner of men who
haven't overmuch conscience. On his re-
turn he tells innumerable lies to hide his
faults, the chief one being that he has
made great friend of Weller, the King
of the Philippines. to whom he has prom
ised the hand Of his daughter. Her lover
and brother discover there is no such
person and they plan to administer
moral lesson to the gay old boy and
in pursuance Of this intention Dick Jor-
dan, the lover, rigs up as black man
and, with attendants, descends on his
dear friend Johnny, whom he throws
into spasms of fright. In this part w. S.
Sheehan is fairly good. The girls, Marie
Graham, Miss Annie Trimmer, and Car
RE Gilman, Miss Leonie Ellis, find out
the truth and add to the old sinners
agony by pretending that Marie, wants to
marry the king. In the midst of this
confusion Priscilla Williams. who was
well played by Miss Florence Toles,
enters. She is the runaway wife Of Mr..
Meekham, clergyman, whom George F.
Wagner well portrayed, and is in search
of her husband. AS she has had gay
times with the old man. his son and Jor-
dan, she is nearly as welcome as bomb
shell. In the end, however, everything
Genes out right. The lovers marry and
the old man resolves to sin no more. As
father and son. E. f. Calvin and F. w.
Snyder were successful, as was 7. O.
Duff as Teddy Lane, the valet. Be
tween acts L and H. Miss Maud Ellis,
contralto sang, and between acts II.
and III. E. ]. Calvin, baritone, gave
Dear Heart" and Goodnight, Beloved,
Goodnight"
Our Own troubadours, who include 3.
w Calvin. Charles Ehlers, r. ]. Calvin,
p. Fillepigue, G. B. Barnum, Miss r. M.
Wagner, Miss NJ. Juliet Duff, Miss W.
q. Miller, Miss L. J. Campbell, Miss
Gertrude Wagner, appeared with G. w.
Nelson, JERSEYS Honey Boy.
There was one performer who was not
on the programme and who yet dis
tinguished himself. This was mongrel
dog who made his appearance between
the first and second acts. He strolled
around the front benches making friends
everywhere. When, however, the cur
tain rose on the King, his democratic in
stincts got the better of him. He voiced
his American prejudiees against royalty
50 loudly and unmistakably that he had
to be removed bodily amidst applause
and universal regret.