AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 764, 22 October 1886, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

“THREE HATS.”

“ Three Hats,” a farcical comedy, was produced at the Theatre Royal last night week, to a good audience. The piece is a capital comedy, full of extravagantly funny situations, and with dialogue well written. The central character—though for the matter of that all the parts are good ones—is one Bosco Blithers, a teacher of elocution and writing ; a one-sided, ferocious-looking, good-humored individual, whose very appearance is irresistibly funny, not to speak of his grotesque antics and repeated inquiries “ about a ha- 1 :.” Three hals, it appears, have been mixed, and the complications which arise in attempts to discover the owners of the hats cause all the fun. By way of adding variety to the piece, a number of characters are introduced—an amorous Frenchman, a boy in buttons, an e'dtrly lady with poetical learin>s, etcetera. The piece, was welt played, provoked endless amusement, and went, a 3 such pieces should, - smoothly and with plenty of dash. The part of Bosco Blithers gave Mr J. P. Carey an opportunity of proving his ability as a comedian, which he did most satisfactorily. Mr Carey has the knack of playiug a low comedy part so that it is as funny as funny can be, while at the same time he does not indulge at all in those antics which are not inaptly termed “ horse play.” His “business ” is quiet, aud not showy, but wonderfully amusing. He preserved the identity of the Character with great care, and presented an even performance of a high standard. Mr Hall was not les3 funny as Mr SelwyD, which he played capitally, the scene in which the old gentleman confe3te? to his wife being especially good. Mr H. Hall made a very fair Dibbs, and Mr Dunbar was rather better in Victor de la Tour than in anything else he has played in Wellington. Of the female parts the only one which calls for special mention is that of Mrs Selwyu, in which Miss Bessie Vivian achieved a great success. It only remains to be s;-.id that the piece was excellently staged. ■ It found great favor with the audience, who not only laughed immoderately, but frequently interrupted the performance by rounds of applause.