The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-28
AMATEURS SCORE IN PERFORMANCE
 OF PINERO PLAY
''The Hobby Horse" Has Much the Superiority of Profes-
 sionaI Production.

With a cast of exceptional talent de- .veIoped by expert training. ''The Hob by Horse!st Rinero's satire upon the hft-or-naiss plan of administering charity, was given a superior produc- ton at the Lyric theatre last evening by g, company of Bridgeporters.
 Leon M. Lawson and Mrs. H. A. Mayse. who had the principal roles, proved equal to their exaeting de- mands. In several scenes, each of these players entered so successfully into the play that the audience, seemingly forgetfu1 of the personality of the player, enjoyed tue Performance not for its local elements, but for it's de- 1ightful story alone.
 The story of '@The Hobby Horse.' the proceeds from the performances Of which will further the work of the Charity Organization society, is one of misdirected generosity. Spencer Jernyn, patron of horse racing plans g. home for broken-down jockeys, while his young wife is equally inter ested in founding an orphanage. They clash when each selects the same place for the rival projects.
 In the guise of a, governess, Mrs. Jernyrn takes up work in the Lendon slums, there to touch the heart of Rev Noel Brice "a poverty stricken curate- Brice's engagement to become ..parson'' in the Jockeys home leads to the complications that contribute to the highly interesting story.
 The audience last evening was far too small to be worthy of a perform ance so excellent. No doubt the re naining performances will attract more playgoers.s But those who wis tied the premiere contributed gener- lous1y in the purchase of programs and flowers, thus helping swell the box of- fee receipts. Several fashionable box parties attended last evening" and oth- CTS are planned for the remaining performances.
 Success such as that achieved by tsTheg Hobby Horse means many days and nights of hard work, and involve especially ski11fuI stage direction. The direction was supplied by Albert Lang, a veteran in this line of endeavor, while Mir. Lawson, to whom is due credit for the necessary enterprise for the production, ably seconded his efforts.
 Besides the particular stars, Mrs. Mayse and MT. Lawson, several others did especially <praiseworthy work. Donald Page played the role of Spen- cer .Jermyn's headstrong son with a. contagious enthusiasm. Philip Leigh. familiar to p1aygoers heres for his work in juvenile ro1es,i handled the part of the elder. 5Jernyn with pro feSS1OnaI skill, although this type of character is one in which, to his local admirers, he is a. stranger. Mrs AL fred Fl. Terry's artistic ippersonation of Miss Moxom was 8 strong element in the success of tE1eN play. Miss Julia, F'arnan was thoroug ghIy at ease in the character of the curate's sis ter.
 Effective touches of comedy were supplied by MT. Lang, whose every appearance as tShattock'' was the sig nal for n1irth. Mrs. Walter Loewfth as the imperious Mrs. Porcher, shone brilliantly during her brief appear ance. Others who contributed to the success of the play were Thomas F. Willmore, the solicitor. Miss. Rather inc Hurd as Mrs. Landon, dependent upon charities; Walter Harrington, Bosworth Van Gieson and Neil Ben ham, IT,, as derelicts of the track: and John M. French, who made much of the comparatively minor role of the butler.
 The players had the advantage of an excellent scenic equipment from Kthe Lyric studios. and the properties were complete. Dr. John R. Brown. pastor of the First Baptist church, prefaced the performance with brief outline of the work of the Charity Organization society. Tonight Geo. L., Warren, the secretary of the so-- ciety, will speak before the cur tain.