The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-16
NEW DRAMATIC MATERIAL.
THE BROADWAY THEA1REs OPENING
WITH THE GHETTO"


Stage illustrations of the Life OF Jews
in Europe-First Performance Here of
the Dutch Play In an English Version.
The soene In the auditorium and Hobbies OF
the Broadway Theatre. which opened under
Jacob Lifts management last night, was brill
liant and animated. The play on the stage.
The Ghetto" was doleful but i'm pressive. All
the 'Hrst-plghtere." that set OF people who
never miss an opening night OF importance,
were on hand. They were profuse In their
praise OF the new decorations Of the playhouse
and In their good wishes for the management.
In certain respect these desires were real
ized Mr.. Lit has a drama Of exceptional
artistic worth In The Ghetto" This
play was written by a Dutch author. Herman
Hyerman. Jr.. and has record run OF 300
performances in Amsterdam. Tho translation
has been made by Chester Bailey Fsrnald and
has been staged and to some extent recon-
structed by Eugene W. Presbry. Its story 10 a
heavy but pow erful tale OF a Jews love for his
fathers Christian serving made. His parent
desires him to marry one OF his own people but
the son refuses. The young man repeats his
determ nation before an enraged mob OF Jews
who. In their frenzy. would stone him from the
streets The father finally persuades the girl
that her lover has deserted her and she. in dis
pair. throws herself into the river. To here
the high standard OF the drama was dropped to
cater to public fancy. After IL long interval
the girl is carried from the river and brought
back to life. though she has been in the water
no less than Ave minutes. This ending to the
play, probably against the authors artistic in
stinct. lowered the piece from the poetic to the
commonplace.
Joseph Haworth acted the jews son who was
true to his Christian wife. more intense
4 H. -.
particularly strong soene. In which he declares
his steadfastness to the girl before the snraged
mob. his performance reached Its height
Throughout he was admirable. Grace Filkins.
as the persecuted maiden. gave q conscientious
reading OF the role but was inclined
TO be monotonous. Mrs Mckee Rankin
supplied q we'll studied sketch OF q jewish
matron. Joseph Herbert, as the obdurate
father. was admirably and wearisome. OF
course. the latter was the fault OF tho author.
not tho actor. Emmett Corrigan supplied an
excellent character study and lou Fernandez
brought Q part with few opportunities into the
foreground by has earnest portrayal otit
The Ghetto" 10 produced handsomely and
what 10 more. tastefully. 1t will appeal to all
lovers OF the serious and artistic drama as a
powerful and intense study OF the difficulties
between the jews and Christians In Amster-
dam In the early part OF this century. 1t dis
cusses problem but does not settle II. The
matter Is no nearer a conclusion at the final
curtain than at the first. franks we'll and in the
Same class as The Reverend Griffith Daven-
port" which showed the slavery question from
both sides and in q dignihsd and powerful
way. The Ghetto" treats the subject OF inter-
marriage between jews and Christians in the
same manner.
To-night's opening OF Roster L Balls tho
atrs was preceded by q reception last night
The new lessee. Robert Bei. and his business
STAFF showed the rsdecorated auditorium to
invited guests. Tho fronts OF the tiers OF boxes
had been painted red and white. the walls In
red and the ceiling In light blue and gold. All
these colors had been used in the lobby. |
Many electric lights had been added. Tho |
effect was handsome. The capacious house had
a richer aspect than before. Mr.. Bsi explained
his plans of management. This will be . |
vaudeville house entirely" he said. Extra
vaganzas will not be included In the bills.
shall import the best specialists procurable in |
Europe. and intsrsperss them with
native talent. The foreigners In the |
opening programme will include Ada
Colley. positively phenomenal So
prano vocalist: Alexandra. a noted Danish |
beauty and singer: Edward Lauri. Mile.
Flerlzelle and the DeCourcsy brothers. This |
will continue to be music hall. That 10 to
say. smoking and drinking will be permitted
evenings and Saturday afternoons. but not at
Wednesday matiness. which will be devoted to
women and children at low prices"
Contracts were signed yesterday by which
Cissio LOTUS becomes Richard Mansheld's
leading lady for the present season. Weber 4
Fields. with whom she broke her agreement
to play In their music haQ. declare that they
will prevent her appearance with any
other company in this country. .Ex- Judge
Dittenhoeffer. Miss Loftus's legal adviser. 4
says that tho burlesquo managers cannot
hold her because her contract with them
called for a performance on Sunday evening
and 10 therefore legally invalid. Miss LOTUS
will make her hrst appearance with Mansfield
as RoIane in "Cyrano DO Bsrgerac." aud later
create an important role in q new play. This
will be the famous mimio's first plunge into
drama. though she has threatened 1t for many
seasons.
Norma Whaey retired from the cast OF The
Man In the Moon last night.
nlTF nv THE HnTTyRrry rpr.r