RADIO PLAY FROM THE WORLD-FAMOUS NOVEL

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 34, 1 March 1935, Page 54

RADIO PLAY FROM THE WORLD-FAMOUS NOVEL

Jew Suss

"Pw SUSS," adapted for. broaacasting by Robert Waldron, from the famous novel by Lion Feuchtwanger. The following play corresponds closely with the © GaumoriBritish film version of. "Jew Suss," which is to be released in New Zealana at the end of this month. The following is the cast of the radio play, the first instalment of which appears to day i--Josef Suss Oppenheimer (Jew Suss). Marie Auguste. Kari Alexander. Rabbi Gabriel. Weissensee. Landauer. Magdalen Sibylle. Naomi, And others. In the 18th century Wurtemburg. one of the small independent States of the German confederacy, was ruled by a hereditary Duke. It was a time of brutality and universal intolerance The Jews, above all, suffered oppression and boycott. At last there rose up a man who, determined to. bring prestige to the state and to break down, for all time, the barriers of the ghetro. Josef Suss Oppenheimer was a may of human frailty. His work remained unfinished-his story lives. ACT 1. SCENE 1. (There is the banging &f a couch dou: and sounds of footsteps ona gravel road.) Suss: Milles pardons! You have suf fered no serious mishap? TI hope. from my coachman’s negligence? Magdalen. Sibylle: No, I was: just u little faint. ‘ Suss: I shall have the rascal thrashe*? Magdalen: There is no need. Please let me proceed. Suss: You live nearby? Magdalen: Yes.

Suss: Then let me escort you. Hirsau is a large forest and a lonely one. It might be safer for you. Magdalen: I shall be perfectly safe, thank you. (A voice in the, baekyround. ) Landauer: Reb Josef! Come, we musi to Wildbad! Suss:' Yes, Landauer. ... (Zhe creaking of @ coach and the banging of ua door.) A lovely -giri. Who is she? Landauer: Magdalen Sibylle, = the daughter of Weissensee, the Prest dent of the Council, ... Jew haters, believing we butcher Christian children! Suss: An old fable, Landauer. We ara in 1730 now. Landauer: What they believed in 1430 they believe in 1780-they’il believe in 1880-and in 1930! Who's goings to change them? You? With your silk stockings and ruffles and buckles and attendants up behind! (There is the sound of horses and a coach moving.) Suss: I want position ... respect . not for my sake, but for the sake of all of us... I want power! Landauer: You young telk! Can’t you understand real power lies in never showing it? (There is a. distant sound of crowds cheering and a band playing.) Suss: What’s that? Landauer: His Highness Karl Alex ander must be already arrived ir Wildbad. Suss: Magnificent... ‘Landauer: Magnificent! Schnorrer: Suss: What do you mean? A member of the ducal house of Wurtemburg Landauer: A poor relation. . maybe a second cousin schnorrer! Nut good for a thousand guilden .. ] know... I refused him a loan once He’s even got only one good foot. Suss: He’s a Field Marshal of the Emperor. A. great general .. wounded at Belgrade. Landauer: What do you want me te

Adapted by. Robert Waldron from the famous novel by Lion Feuchtwanger do? Make a way for him? I hay3 other troubles. There’il be no room for us at the inn with him and his suite! . (Loud cheering can be heard from the mob.) . Susis: Come, friend Jaandauer! The noise is not good for you. .Ah! We nre arrived. I must meet. this Kar: Alexander. (They descend from the carriage among the protests. of the crowd.) Landauer: Make way, you fools, make way. (Sounds can be heard of tw) people entering the inn, the noise of glasses and the murmur of voices.) Suss: Landlord! Accommodation for two weary travellers. Innkeeper: Yes, gentlemen. . . Karl’s Attendant: Good landlord, can you help me? The Prince of Thurn is expecting the honour of my master’s company at the fancy dress biil to-night, but his Highness hasn't a costume in his baggage. Suss: Permit me, I think I can arrange it. Attendant: His Highness will appreciate it. Suss: See myx servant Attendant: Thank you, sir. (Sound of footsteps and the door closes.) Landauer: How much will you charge him for the hire? Suss: My dear Landauer, [ am onl? too happy to oblige his Highness as one gentleman to another Landauer: You may be a gentlem:ua to yourself-vyou mav be a gentleman to your mother , { might even tet vou be a gentleman to me . but to a gentleman you ain't no gent.eman. . Suss: Perhaps so, my dear Landauer. A Parisian fancy costume is but a small price to pay for his Highness’s favour. Landauer: A precious price. since be is so much in debt. Suss: Methinks my fortunes lie close to his Highness's destiny. Landauer: A erazy presentiment, young man.. a crazy presentiment. Suss: But to-night at the ball I shal begin to realise my crazy presentiment. (Sound of music.) SCENE II (General atmosphere of a ball-room, music, and the murmur of voices. Subdued voices in the background.) Marie: L have a tonging for-fresh ai°. Karl: May I have the pleasure. cousiz Marie? , Marie: My dear Field Marshal. you honour me Karl: The daughter of the Prince of Thurn is worthy of all honour Marie: Pretty speech from a great warrior, Pray conduct me to the terrace. It is cool ont there:in the moonlight. , Karl: And private too. Marie: Quite a courtier, my dear Kart. Now tell me how von trounced those heathen Turks. It must have been thrilling (There is a sound of .the terrace doors closing, and music can be heard in the distance.)

Karl: Not at.all! You see, there was Belgrade ... there were the Turks, and here was I, ‘with my seven hundred halberdiers ... We were practically surrounded. "There was only one way we could go: © Marie: And that was? Karl: Forward! Marie: Oh yes. Karl: My standard bearer was just in front of:-me. As the. wind. unfurled my flag I saw the motto of my hous: .... Attempto....I-dare.... Marie: An inspiration, my dear cou sin. (The music continues in thi distance.) , Karl: To-night I wish 1 had a different. motto-Caesar’s mnoeto-Vem, vetli vici. . Marie:. You came, you saw.... Karl: Yes, but have I any chance of conquering? . Marie: Maybe. Karl: In Belgrade with me they "would treat you like a queen. | Marie: A queen, Karl: Does that mean nothing to you? Marie: Oh yes... but so much depends. on the king. . Karl: Oh I see, I’m not romantic. Marie: Have I said that? Karl: Then you mean ....?. Marie: I mean you.have given me a great deal to think about. Come . let us go indoors. Karl: So soon? Marie: Yes, I must retire and think about Belgrade. Karl: Then I may hope for a favour able answer? Perhaps! (The ball-room door opens and the music increases.) Marie: Karl, please! Weare in public. Karl: Who is that man? Marie: Oh, merely a Jew ...by nam* Josef Suss Oppenheimer. Karl: Josef Suss Oppenheimer. . Now we'll have a bit of fun. Marie: You will pardon me. .. I am very tired. Karl: May you dream happily of Belgrade, fair cousin. Ill now. to tue gambling rooms and try to win a fortune for you. ; Marie: Good-night, dear Karl. You ardour hastens my decision. (Her. voice receeds into the. background.) © Karl: Pretty girl, eh, Jew? You know I nearly gave you a beating for your intrusion, Susis: Then, your Highness,: I should not have been in bad company. Has not your Highness beaten a Marshai of France? 7 Karl: Come this way.. You trim -your words, Jew, as neatly as if you'd studied in Ver sailles, Suss: I have, your Highness. Karl: Ah.... are you one of the Viennese Oppenheimers? Suss: Only a third cousin, Karl: I’m glad you’re no closer. They’ve just refused me a loan, damn them! Suss: They have no conception. of how to treat a great. gentleman. (The door opens and a blending of musi and men: betting can be heard, after which the door closes.) Karl:. I like you Suss. (There-is the sound of men betting and the clink ing of glasses.) Player: Will you take a seat, your . Highness. Loy Karl: Certainly! ‘What did: I come here for? To look on? Five hundred. Player: A thousand. Karl: Two thousand, Player: Four thousand! Karl; That’s more than I can muster,

Suss: .If your Highness will give me the honour to stand backer? Karl: What? Ob, thank you, Jew. Four thousand! '.Player: Your Highness wins. Karl: Come on again, one thousand, ’ Player: Two thousand. . Karl: Three thousand. Servant: Sir, a stranger waits on you in the hall. Suss: Very -well, pardon, Highness. (Sound of footsteps and opening and closing of doors. The distant sound of music ceases with the closing oF the final door.) Suss: Welcome, uncle. Rabbi: You sent for me because of the child? You promised to take her, Josef. . Susy: Yes, I ‘know, but not yet, it wouldn’t be good for me. Nor good for the child. You.see, I have a thousand things to settle, I am pushed, driven to and fro. I... Rabbi: Why don’t you want the workd to know you were married? That you were happy once. Suss: Yes, but Leah died when the child was born.. Rabbi: I ought to curse you when she makes me speak of you. Yet I find myself blessing you for her sake. Naomi-is now fifteen. ; Suss: Yes, but don’t you see it wouldn't be fair to her. She is so young, s0 innocent, you can shelter her better than I. .~ Rabbi: She is making for herself an imaginary father out of what I have told her. Now. she wants to see the real one. I shall bring the child to a quiet house in the country near you, where and when I shall bring her I shall let her know in due course. (Zhe sound of a voice approaching.) Karl: Jew, where are you? Where are you? (Sound of door opening and singing in drunken voice.) Karl: I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I’ve come to pay you my debts: You brought me luck, Jew.. So you have a visitor. Suss: This is his Highness the Field Marshal Prince Karl Alexander and this, Highness, -is my uncle, our teacher, Rabbi Gabriel van der Straaten. Karl: A Jewish Rabbi, eh? A mag: nus, a sorcerer, an alchemist. Can . you make gold? Rabbi: .No,-I, cannot make gold. : Karl: I am very interested in alchemistic experiments. I'm not rich;, Your nephew. knows that-he . furnished me with tnis suit. But if you cared to come to Belgrade. with me. Rabbi: I am no maker of gold. Karl: Read my hand. You cannot refuse me that. Come, speak up! Rabbi: I beg you to ¢xcuse me, Karl: Tell me, I’m not. afraid. T’ve stood in a. hundred battles. ‘T’ve fought: a duel over a pocket handker chief, -Do‘you think 1 can’t stand it if an old Jew. foretells- trouble: Lor me? " Rabbi: I beg you to excuse me. Karl: Say-on, ;»> sO Rabbi: ..I ‘see a. ‘first, aud ‘a second event.’ The ‘first: I will not tell: you The second isa ducal crown. Karl: You lay it.on thick, sir magnus ‘ A ducal crown «With my cousin the Duke "still very. much alive and a grown-up. Crown Pvince as well--f ducal crown, Rabbi (in subdued voice): Josef, whai I told you still holds good (There is the click of a door closing.)

Karl: What was the other thing you saw? Gone, eh? Your uncle igs not very courteous, Jew. Suss: You must excuse him, Highness. _ He is morose and peculiar, butKarl . But what was it he refused toc tell? Suss: We can forget that Highness. My unele is a visionary. Hvents which to him are real, to us, as men of the world are only ludicrous . fancies. Buta ducal crown-that is real. . Karl: Real, eh?: How much will you advance me on this ducal crown? Suss: Iam at your Highness’s disposal with all that I possess. Karl: Very well, Jew, I’ll take you at your word. Announce yourself to my levee to-morrow as. the Keeper of my Privy Purse. (The door opens and footsteps approach.) Couricr: Your Highness, I am a courier from the capital. Karl: From Stuttgart? Courier: Your cousin, the reigning Duke, -was thrown from his horse yesterday. Karl: Was he hurt? Courier: Killed, your Highness. Karl: Leave me! Courier: But Highness- © Karl: I’ll see you later, leave ms (courier departs.) So you’re excited are you, Jew? But don’t forget the Crown Prince, he won’t die So eonveniently. What are you aiming at? . This is pure chance. Suss: No chance, your Highness, but a mysterious owledge, an infallible and unshakable instinct tells me my fate is linked with yours complete'y. with all that I have avd all that I possess. Just as I am bound to yuu, so you are bound to. me, Karl Alexander! (Sound of music.) End of Act 1.