New-York tribune., 1907-10-02
THE DRAMA.
IRVING PLACE THEATRE.
Der Richter Won Zalamea."

DR.. Maurice Baumfeld has undertaken to revive
the fortunes of the German Theatre, which fell to
10" epn last year-the last Of Mr.. Conried's long
directorate The season was opened
spiciously last night with a production of one of
the masterpieces Of the Spanish stage CaIderon's
'1l Alcalde de Zalamea." translated into German
by Adolph Wilbrandt, himself a poet and dram
atist, and appearing under the title Der Richter
Won Zalamea" 1t is DR.. Baumfelds intention to
produce this year a number OF the classics of the
English and Continental! stage and to vary them
with modern plays of consequence and lighter
comedy pieces The theatre has been refuruished
and redecorated and adequate company of
players has been assembled. Last nights per-
formance was of character to promise a new
lease of life to institution which in the scope
and educative quality of its work once fulfilled,
and should fulfil again. highly useful dramatic
function.
The piece presented ranks with LA Vida es
Sueno' as the most notable among Calderons many
productions. In It the Spanish poet. though him
self priest and aristocrat struck something or
a note OF protest against the caste prejud.ceS OF
his century, building his play on the thesis that
PEASANTS sense of honor may be keen. as deep
seated and as inextnguishabe that of mem
Der of the nobility. The broadly democratic spirit
of tho play still valzes It and gives 1t singular
flavor of moderrity. The Judge or mayor of Ia
lamea is Pedro Crespo. rich peasant sef-respect-
ing and highly respected. Spanish troops enter his
village, and the captain OF a company is Quartered
in his house The captain learns that Crespo has
secluded his daughter who is beautiful and bred
above he/ peasant standard and out of pique
and curiosity plans to discover and possess her
Getting into her hiding place by a stratagem, he
falls violently in love with her, and later abducts
and dishonorS her.
Tho father is also abducted and bound in the
forest, where the daughter, escaping finds and
releases him. Tie captain has been oVertaken and
wounded by Crespo's and is carried back
wounded to Zaamea. The community has just
elected Crespo aCalde. and he sees in the maEls-
tracy thrust upon him means OF obtaining repa-
ration vengeance. First he pleads with the
arrogant officer to make gooo the wrong
done and restore the familys lost honor But the
abductor stands on his superior caste rights and
defes the aIcalde TO hold and try him, saying that
he is exempt from judgment except in a military
court. This contention IS hotly upheld by Lope de
Figueroa. the irascible Spanish commander. But
the outraged father refuses to surrender the prlS
oner. and when King Philip II appears on the
scene, learns the facts, approves the arrest but
demands the return Of the culprit 10 the military
authorities for punishment. the village prison doors
are opened and the captain Is found already
strangled. The play is simple In construction ana
rapid and natural In action. and even In the trans
lated version strongly suggests the poetical quall
ties Of the original.
The acting was satisfactory, Adolf Winds playing
trespo and FrauIein Hedwir Reicher making an
appealing Isabel. AS Don Lope dc Figueroa. Hem
rich NARROW, an excellent actor. much missed last
season, returned to the Irving Place stage The
cast was follows: