The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-03-28
MAID OF PERSIA"
WELL PRESENTED
Jewish Young People Cleverly
Portray Biblical Story at
Bungalow Theatre.
PARTS ALL WELL TAKEN
SCHOOL OF CONGREGATION MON
TEFIORE AS THESPIANS.

The young people of the Hebrew School
of Congregation Montefiore presented
''fhe Maid of Persia" a Biblical drama
in four acts. at the Bungalow theatre
yesterday afternoon. 1t was in celebra-
ton of the feast of Purim, a Jewish
festival. so called from Humans casting
lots for the destruction OF the Jews
(Esther iii, ., and in cOmmemOration
OF the deliverance described in the Book
of Esther. The play includes all the i'm
portant incidents of the story OF the
Jewish maiden, which for dramatic value
is not exceeded by any of the ancient
legends. The name of the playwright
was not given in the program, but his
adaptation of the story suited the young
performers as if it were prepared es-
pecially for them. The production was
staged by Rabbi Joseph HeVeSh, who
stated to the audience at the close OF
the performance that in presenting the
play for their entertainment the students
of the school were also being instructed
In the valuable lessons of the Book or
Esther.
The drama follows closely the Biblical
text. 1t opens with the festivity in the
palace in Shushan, the capital OF the
Persian king, AhasueruS, believed 10 De
the Xerxes of ancient history. In the
midst of his reVels the king commands
the presence of his queen, Nashu. she
refuses To appear and is put away by
the king for her diSObedienC9. The sec
ond act, played in a street of the city,
opens with a gathering of Persian maid
ems and the reading of the kings decree.
1t commands that they shall appear be
fore the king, that from among their
number a queen may be selected. Esther
appears, and a prophecies, Zingarella, de-
clares that she will be the chosen one.
Heralds proclaim the arrival OF the KING
and upon his appearance the maidens
pass before him, Esther among the last
TO be presented. The king announces his
choice, and Esther is instructed by her
uncle MOrdecai, in the duties OF her new
position. Hannah appears, and Moruecai
refuses obeisance, for which Haman
threatens vengeance. Zingarella warns
MOrdeCai TO beware of Haman, ana
prophesies increase Of honor and power
20 the Jew.
The third act, the throne room, opens
with a petition by Haman to Ahasuerus
which portends the destruction OF the
Jews. 1t is granted, and Haman raised
TO a place in the court, second only 10
The king himself AS a preiuue 70 me
appearance of Esther, who is to be for
mally recognized as queen, a plafnuVe
melody, entitled the "Maiden's Song, IS
given by a chorus of young girls. Esther
appears, and is seated on the throne
The king grants her a petition, which
she makes for Mordecai, telling the king
of her uncle's intercession to save his
life Ahasuerus calls Haman, ana
demands what shall be done for him
whom the king desires 10 honor. Think
ing IL can be no other than himselI,
Haman declares that ktngly honors Snall
be paid, and Ahasuerus commands that
Haman shall see these done TO the mated
Mordecai- Esther and MOrdeca1 confer
together in a plan TO save their people,
and MOrdecai commands the queen y
appear before the king and make peu-
ton This is death unless the petitioner
is summoned, but Esther obeys, after
a nrayer and song to the Almighty for
his blessing and protection
The last act is IN TWO scenes. IN the
first Esther appears and asks or the KING
his presence and Humans at banquet
which she has prepared. Her request Is
granted, and in the banquet scene the
king asks her to name her real petl-
ton, knowing that she has a request 10
make. She discloses the plot or Haman
to destroy her people, and pleads Tor
them and for Mordecai. Hannah is stripped
of his hOnors and sentenced TO death
upon the gallows erected Tor Moruecal'
who is Immediately elevated in ms place;
The play closed with the Furlm 0ohs'
by the whole company.
The drama was ably cast, the principals
taking their parts with degree OF aplLly
that would do credit TO much older anu
more experienced performers; 1here " d
noticed a precision OF speech ana tnoI-
ough acquaintance with the lines that
could only be acquired by much STUDY
and drill. Contrary TO the ususl expert
ence in amateur productions mere "eIo
no long waits between the acts, ana lhe
little Dlay passed off swiftly the entlfe
nerformance lasting but an hour apd a
half Miss Fannie Shapiro, in the role
of Esther. gave a tender and maldeIIN
presentation, showing a thoughtfu ap-
probation of the value of the part her
Hvsver and song were sweetly done, and
her work throughout found favor with the
audience Sherman LoWenstein, as
Ahasuerus, gave a dignified Impersona-
fior. Hannah and MOrdecai We're credit
ablv presented by Herman Eckstein and
Sigmund Appleman. The role OF court
tester. taken by Leonard Neither was
one of the most difficult of the piece
and the little fellow showed cohsloeIaple
,isI1erDess in the way ne played the part.
me company included thirty-one per
formers, and considering their youthful
ness and inexperience, the production was