The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-07
The House Next Door"

destines are controlled by private indi-
viduals with such widespread inlu-
ence as the theater. The topics which
furnish material for plays range from
political and economic Questions of the
day down 10 the merest triviaites.
Almost every one goes 10 the theater
some time or other. There are some
who go purely for the sake Of amuse-
Inent. because they have nothing else
10 do. These constitute probably the
greatest class. There is another large
class composed Of those who attend the
theater only when attracted by some
thing that appeals TO their individual
taste. The preference for some is for
solid and instructive plays; OF others.
comedy. and OF others simply light and
airy entertainment
The temper Of the public IS so uncer-
tain. owing to the varied tastes likely
10 be found among the average audience.
that it does not do for playwright or
manager TO be too radical The iudiyit-
ual who transports a propaganda 20 the
stage would better be prepared before
hand for financial failure. though he may
cess. a term which. freely interpreted.
means nothing but the favor Of a select
few
THE House Next Door vas a play
that caused It's audiences some anxious
moments The fact that II was found
necessary 20 explain that no offense was
intended. nor that any desire existed 90
settle any social or racial problems by
the plays hypothesis, proved that the
play had an effect which may have been
rather more than the author intended
on last Monday night at the National
Theater a large portion Of the audience
was composed of Jews. These people
sat and listened through an entire first
act 90 a TRADE against their race by a
character purportiug TO represent the
type OF conservative British aristocrat
OF course. these people came on pur-
pose 90 hear all this. for the fame OF
"The House Next Door" had preceded
81. In spite Of the fact that the play
was a comedy, there were many lines
that were not without sting. II the Jews
themselves are willing 20 take the whole
play as Joke. and hold no grUdge
against the author for fussiug up
questions that had best be allowed 10
adjust themselves, the Geutiles can have
no quarrel with him.
But the danger lay in misunderstand-
ing. As Il happened the outcome OF
The play was a vindicauon OF the char
acter OF the particular Jew against whom
the bitter shafts OF the central character
were leveled. This. in a measure. atoned
FOR some OF the things that were Fald
earlier in the play. The first act served
as an object lesson OF the fact that
there still exist I'm England-and the rest
OF the world. too for that matter-in-
dviduals who are so narrow as 10 look
upon the Jewish citizen as a pariah. a
neighbor who. under no circumstances
may be deemed worthy OF the society OF
Christians.
II such a condition exists I'm England
We OF America should be allowed 20 for
get IL, Jew-baiting has gone out Of fash
ion. and IS as obsolete as the burning
Of witches II a man is n worthy citi-
zen. and proves himself the possessor
OF brains and ability. the question as 70
whether he is Jew, Buddhist. a spirit
ualist. or a Presbyterian does not mat
ter in the least 1t is not a pleasant thing
for the Jew 10 see himself so vehement.
j. made fun OF. even though no harm IS
intended. The Catholic would resent IT,
and so would the Baptist
The portrayal OF a humorous Jew
character on the stage is all right. Tn,
clergymen OF the Church OF England
came in for the same caricaturing Wher
II comes 10 burlesque Of character no.
body escapes. But the trouble with The
House Next Door" IS that # makes q
pertinent question out Of what is really
no question az all.
The Jews have proved themselves
worthy OF trust in every walk Of life
and IL must be embarrassing for then
10 see themselves so roughly handled, al
they are by Sir John Cotswold. baronet
in The House Next Door"
OF course, II the question were no
brought UP and answered. there would b.
no play; and we are at least indebted [,
this circumstance for one OF the mos
enjoyable comedies In several seasons
Certainly Il was the best play seen Il
Washington this season.
The theme, however. was daring. an
It was only the direction in which IN
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