Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-02-03
THE DRAMA.
"sam1 of Posen'' ut the Opera House.

Sam VI Z O00A - Iu0 Op0K0 0VuO0.
The Lancaster public is not distinguished
for any striking degree of cordiality in its
Of a new play and new players.
It has its favorites who are always sure of
a warm welcome but unless there is some
endorsement Of new atsrac-
tion by popular authority our people are
rather chary in extending their patronage.
no matter how great the intrinsic merit of
ly, extra reason for Mr.. NJ. 3. Curtis to
night looked over the sea of heads that
opera house to witness his representation
mercial drummer, the title role of
piece written especially for him and ell
titled Sam'l of Poscn. To all intents
and purposes Curtis and his play were
strangers to the people of Lancaster.
Though that rather limited proportion Of
them who pay attention to dramatic doings
elsewhere had heard in general way Of
the jolly and sag acious ''highwayman" and
his popularity i'll some of the larger East
ern cities, it was by an intuitive percep-
tion rather than by their familiarity
with the strangers success elsewhere
that the amusement going public Of Ian
caster turned out in such round numbers
to greet Mr.. Curtis, filling the entire body
of the hall with strong gallery reple-
sentation. Samuel Palstrick, the central
character Of the piece, is 4 young Hebrew,
new arrival in this country, from the town
of Posen, at the date of the opening Of
the story. He is good -natured, shrewd,
energetic and with an amazing
degree of inotfensive effrontery that
serves to rapidly advance him in
his business aspirations aud from
the position Of the jolly peddler in which
he is seen at the outset of the piece he
rises to the place Of travelling salesman for
large jewelry house, in which he is given
many important trusts to fulfill and where
his sharp tact, boldness and knowledge OF
the way of the world stand him in good
stead. His exceeding amiability and
sociability do get him into one bad fix,
from which, however, he manages to tri-
umphantly extlicate himself by his char
acteristic smartness and indOmtable en-
ergy. OF the piece itself no mention is
necessary except as to its capacity to Illus
trate some traits Of Hebrew character
which Mr.. Curtis delneation admirably
photographs. 1t is to be presumed the
author makes no claim to iginality other
than in this respect. There is the con-
ventiOnal heavy villain in the person of a
schening clerk and his female tool aad
accomplice. They manage by their deep
laid plans to throw suspicion Of dishonesty
and dishonOr upon a young friend and
benefactOr of the Hebrew hero, whose wit
alcno succeeds in clearing things up,
bringing the chief cOuspirator to his just
deserts, and making all as bright aud
happy rs could be desired. Mr.. Curtis
gives representation of the Israclitisll
drummer that is true to the life. The part
in his hands bubbles with humor that is
the more admirable because of it's freedom
from the offensive exaggeratiOns that too
often mar attempted portraiturcs of this
kind. Every phase of the persOnation re-
fleets the delineatOr's artistic sense he is 4
representative of his kind. In appearance,
makeup, style, action and his apt use Of
the terms and expressions that arc con-
sidered part and parcel of life on the
road" his rendition is uniform and harmO-
NOUS, while he has caught the dialect and
enriched it's quaint humor by little inven-
tions Of his own. He was several times
called before the curtain and bowed his
acknowledgements of enthusiastic plaudits.
Mr.. Curtis has had the sense to surround
himself with good company. Miss
Boshell was interesting as Rebeccn, the
Jewish maiden StmEs sweetheart !; in the
role of Celeste, the French adventures, Miss
DeMer, displayed considerable dramatic
force Mr.. Dalton was a satisfactory
villain, and young Davenport, namesake
of his distinguished father, made all there
was out OF small party, and is not with
out promise of some day worthily wearing
the mantle bcqueathed to him.