The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-28

pany played aThe Fakir."
Inc costumes were new the songs clever, and
the speclalties of more than average merit All
the actors are well known, and they contrived
20 produce unusual fun and merriment- These
plays that come with no dher claim than to
smuse, and who succeed in this. can well be
forgiven for the dearth of plot that marks them
all Al Corcrays Mr. Sam Morris was allowed
70 star as Samuel Plastrick in ssSam'i OF Posen."
MS characterization was in many respects
clever and humorous, still the play Is one that
should be banished from the stage, because II is
neither natural or true, and for the reason that
IN many ways II caricatures O race OF people
who, while possessing faults, deserves en-
couragement rather than senselsss ridicule. By
play like "sam'l Of Posen" many who do not
know the Jew, and who have no ideas concern
Ing his history and prosecutions; who cannot
remember his painful lack of opportunity in
the past, viii recognize in the vulgar, loud and
ostentatious Samuel q racial type, and therein
lies the danger. The intelligent in all countries
are uniting in the effort to obliterate prejudice
and break down religious barriers, but 9 play
like this IL calculated TO arouse disgust because
II emphasizes the meanest qualities of the low
est type OF Hebrew known. The dramatic stage
has never done justice TO the Jew. Shakespeare
made noble effort in "The Merchant of Ven
ice to do so, but popular sentiment against the
"despised and rejected of men" was too strong,
and he drew q Shylock that most actors have
portrayed as a mere usurer and q personal vii
lain. Henry Irving has emphasized another
view OF the character aud Possart, the German
actor, has, following in Iryings track, define
ated the Venetian Jew as a great scholarly Jew
who sought in the person of the merchant an in
strument whereby he might avenge ages OF
agony and national insult In the past few
writers, save George Eliot, Ernst Renan
and some others, have done the slight
est justice TO the Jew, but in the
future great fame and greater fortune awaits
the author who will contribute 10 literature
some work in which the higher and nobler ele-
ments of the Jewish character shall be shown to
the world. In almost all the large cities the ed
ucated and cultured Hebrews and, for that mat
ter, those of that universally, take deep in
terest in the stage and give dramatic art warm
and substantial encouragement. Not only would
Hebrews be interested in such a work, but there
Ia growing tendency among liberal Christians
to know all that can be known of a race whose
mysterious preservation among the nations has
for explanation defied the deepest probe of SCI
entifc investigation In "a Silent Woman" q
short preliminary comedy, Mr.. Clay Clement,
Miss Lane and Mr.. J. J. Williams make very IA
vorable impressions out of exceedingly crude
materials. Mr.. Clement shows some sparks of
humor that one does not expect from the line
OF roles usually portrayed by him. Miss Lane
does all her work carefully and creditably,
while Mr.. Williams adds TO his reputation by
every bit of acting that falls to his lot Pro-
lessor Tyndau appeared during the week and
gave several wonderful experiments in mind
reading. He detected a thief, found the article
stolen and returned it to the owner, being care
fully blindfolded during the whole test.
Taken From Life" at Cordray's.
The Cordray management has billed Taken
From Life for the current week. The story 10
laid in England and relates the triumph Of
ported by wealth. The head of the play, Walter
Lee, is united in marriage TO Kate DENLY clan
destinsly. Her brother, q wealthy land owner,
has through the influence of Phillip Radley, the
villain of the plot, reduced himself to beggary
by horse racing. Radley offers 70 advance the
money, which will save the estate from being
sold under the hammer on condition that DENLY
will favor his suit for the hand of pretty Kate.
There is mutual understanding between them
that Kate shall become Mrs. Radley, but all
their plans are frustrated by the declaration o.
Walter Lee, that he il already the husband of
the lady in question. DENLY incurs the hatred
OF band of socialists in the neighborhood by
ejecting tenant called William Mcguire, and
in the end is murdered by the latter. Walter
Lee is innocently connected with the crime and
is arrested, but escapes and fees TO America
Five years elapse and Kate, who still mourns
over the absence of her husband, is courted
by Radley, who informs her that
Walter Lee is dead. In the mean
time the latter returns to England
and after a series OF misfortunes and privations
succeeds in establishing his innocence and in
securing the downfall of the schemer Radley.
Husband and wife are finally restored to each
other and the old DENLY estate reverts to it's
rightful owners. This comedy drama is replete
with thrilling scenes aud cannot fail 10 hold the
interest of the audience from the opening to
the final scene. The scenery provided is elabor-
ate and theater goers may expect most arts
tic production. The cast will be as follows:
Walter Lee. ...............--... Mr.. Clay Clement
Phillip Radley Mr.. Walter Won Rosen