RADIO PLAY FROM THE WORLD-FAMOUS NOVEL

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 35, 8 March 1935, Page 54

RADIO PLAY FROM THE WORLD-FAMOUS NOVEL

Jew Suss

Resume of Act 1. Josef Suss Oppenheimer, a wealthy and ambitious young Jew, is travelling in his coach to the town of Wildbad together with Landauer, an elderly friend and constant companicon, On the road, they meet Magdalen Sybille, the daughter of Weissensee, Lord -President of the State Council of Wurtemburg. Suss is struck by the beauty of the young girl but at the urging of Landauer, continues his journey to the inn at Wildbad. Arriving, he encounters Kurl Alexander, a brave soldier but an impecunious prince-a cousin of the reigning Duke. By servility and extreme generosity he ingratiates himSelf with the blustering Prince, Susgs’s uncle, Rabbi Gabriel, arriving in due course, is ordered by the Prince to fortell the future. — He prophesies that Karl Alexander will be Duke. The soldier is incredulous, even when. Inter a courier announces the death of the reigning Duke. The crown prince still lives. But Suss is resolved-the prince is his guiding star. And so the first act concludes with these words :- Suss: Highness, my fate is linked with yours, completely, with all that I have and all thatsl possess. Just as I am bound to you, so you are bound to me, Kar] Alexander. ACT IL Scene 1, Karl: Gentlemen, when the untimely deaths of my predecessor and his Son in rapid succession, make me Duke, my oath of allegiance to the Constitution bound me, among other duties, to defend our country against her enemies. How can I do that without a proper army? Weissensee: Highness, we cannot afford a larger army. Karl: We've got to afford it. Weissensee! (Ile thumps the table). Weissensee: But the people cannot pay, Highness! What with the late ‘Duke’s extravagances the coronation expense and your personal requirements, the treasury is empty. Karl: Then fill it, my Lord President. Do you hear me, fill it. Yes, you gentlemen can wriggle in your chairs, till the seats of your breeches are worn out. But with or without-your help, I intend to raise and maintain a bigger army. Weissensee: Your Highness, it can’r be done. Karl: It can and will be done! Weissensee: But Highness, the taxesKarl: Weissensee, enough! Gentlemen of the Council, retire. Get out, I say. Suss, I want you! (There is the scraping of chairs and rising of feet and the rumble of objecting voices as they depart.) , Suss: Your Highness? Karl: Why did you leave me alone with . those half-wits? They’ve no idea of progress, the fools! They can’t even realise we need a bigger army. Suss: If they are so old-fashioned, so petty, then we must do without'them. I haye prepared a’ scheme which will give us a powerful army. And then

everything will follow jn its train. As your Highness will see, it will not involve increased taxation. Merely a system of fines. , Sarl: You’re clever, Jew. Suss: Thank you very much, Ilighness. Karl: I’ll leave you now to ‘draft your Scheme. We must have a_ bigger army and have it immediately. (Karl rises and departs, closing the door after him.) Suss (soliloquisiny as he writes) : Josef Suss Oppenheimer, from day to day your power grows more aud more. Some time, not far off, you will: be the greatest man in the land-greater than your Duke-greater than the Emperor! The door opens and footsteps approach. Landauer: Pardon Ixcelleucy! Suss: Good Landauer, why such formality ? Landauer: Reb Josef, you are now the Councillor of Finance for His Highuess, Karl Alexander, Duke of Wurtemburg. Suss: And my presentimentLandauer: May still be crazy. Suss: You are very ominous and dignified this evening, my friend. Landauer: Rabbi Gabriel awaits you in your apartment with Naomi. Suss: What! Naomi is here! He brought her to the palace? Where is the Duke? Landauer: Where he usually is-amus-ing himself with some pretty face. Suss (pushing back chair): Wait here, Landauer. No one must see them.

Adapted by Robert Waldron from the famous novel by Lion Feuchtwanger Least of all His Highness. (Sounds of Suss walking, then opening and closing of doors). Suss: Uncle, Naomi, my child, you are beautiful just like your mother, Naomi: And you are as I always knew you would be. Just as Uncle Gabriel told me. When are you going to come and stay with me, Father? Suss: As soon as I possibly can, my child. Naomi: I know it's so difficult, Nyerybody wants you. But I want you too, I know everybody worships you. The Duke-he must be so kind-and I've heard all the wonderful things you ‘are doing for the people. Suss: Naomi, oh I am so happy. I hate to let you go. Naomi: But, father, you wil! come to Hirsau soon? Suss: Yes, my child. Naomi: How soon? Suss: 1 can’t promise exac tly-perhaps to-morrow, Rabbi: Josef, you see how the child yearns for you. Does your own advancement mean more than your daughter’s happiness? Sbe needs your parental care. The door opens and footsteps apr proach. Suss: Uncle, please the child. Yes, Landauer? Landauer: Josef, the Duke is calling for you. Suss: Quick! See them safely departed, through my private entrance. What to bring the child here. —

The door opens and voice approaches. Karl: Oh Jew, will you have those fines prepared by to-night? I want to Surprise Weissensee at the Ball. Suss: Yes, Highness, ~ Karl: We'll show the old fox how a Duke ghould rule. Suss: How a King, sire. Karl: Stop Jew, you are a wizard. I’ll g0 before you tempt me further. (Door closes). Suss: You are a fool, Karl Alexander, but even a King I will make you. They’re gone, Landauer? (as the door opens). Landauer: Yes, Josef. Suss: Wr-by the way, you have dispatched an invitation to the Demoiselle Weissensee for the ball to-night? Landauer: Yes, Wxcellency. Suss: You do not approve of my affection for the Lord President’s daughter, do you, Landauer? Landauer: She is a Gentile-you are a Jew. Suss: Does such a distinction count in the affairs of the heart? Landauer: Remember the honour of your race. Beware’ of transgressing _the Law of our fathers. The wrath of the Lord will you incur. Seene I. General atmosphere of baliroon. Suss: Is Magdalen Sybille arrived? Landauer: She is over yonder Pxcellency. Suss: Have a little pity for a lonely man, good Landauer. (He departs). Suss: Not alone, Demoiselle, I hope? Magdalen: Oh no, my father is with me, : Suss: Am I permitted to take his place? Magdalen: But you have so many guests to entertain. Suss: Only one I enjoy entertaining. All the others are just duty.. Demoiselle, will you forego the music and come with me? Magdalen: ButSuss: I beg you, Demoiselle, do me the favour of coming to the Wintergarden. It is there and quiet. Ever since I met you in the woods of Hirsau my.thoughts have been full of you. Your face has come between me and my work, staring up at me out of the documents on my desk. Magdalen: It sounds almost as if your Excellency knew those words by heart. Suss: How can I convince you that I am sincere? Will you answer me a question? Have you thought of me at all? Magdalen: Yes. : ‘ Karl (approaching): Ah, there are you! I’ve been looking for you everywhere... Tried to give me the slip, eh, Jew? Well, now I'll do a little poaching of my own accord. Suss, you show taste. Afraid to intro-. duce me? Suss: I have the honour, your High- ness, of. presenting the Demoiselle Magdalen: Your Highness. *. Karl: No-no. It is I who should be kissing your hand, so soft and beautiful. (The Duchess approaches.) Marie: Is my sweet Kar] behaving himself, Demoiselle?, You’re looking -pale! , Magdalen: I-I have rather a -head‘ache, Highness. Marie: Doubtless. The excitement of. meeting your Duke. Yes, ah yes, my | husband is almost overwhelming. Suss: Your Highness has everything she requires? Marie: But naturally, J ew, you are

the master of the feast. Come,, Demoiselle, you are ‘positively ex--hausted, You must rest awhile; Karl: She’s beautiful, beautiful. Suss: Yes, but she is the Lord President’s. daughter. Karl: Well, what does that matter? Suss: She is young-she has never been to court before. Karl: So that’s it, is it? You’ve’got your eye on her for yourself, sly dog, Suss. Suss: No-no. You. misunderstand. There is just a feeling. Karl: Jew-lI shall wait for her in my room. Scene TL. Suss: Are you recovered, Demoiselle? . May I offer you a glass of wine? Magdalen: No thank you, I shall be alk right now. It’s so quiet here. Karl (approaching): We-meet again, Demoiselle-don’t let me keep you. Suss: You have. duties to our guests. I will entertain the Demoiselle. Magdalen: I must go-my fatherKarl: Demoiselle, you will come with me. Suss: But HighnessKarl: Jew, you have duties to our guests. (Suss departs and door closes). Weissensee: Oh Wxcellency, I am look‘ing for my daughter. | Suss: The Demoiselle is resting in a quieter and cooler room. She has a slight headache. But I understand you were with her? Suss: I was. Weissensee : Tachape- perhaps I’d better go to her. Suss: Quite unnecessary, my Lord President. His Highness himself is attending to the Demoiselle. Come sit down and take a glass of wine. I am very glad to have the chance of a word with you. To-night his Highness spoke to me in the most glowing terms of his regard for the Lord President of his Council. I think promotion and’ honoursWeissensee: We have a_ beautiful — house at Hirsau. We are always happy together, my daughter and I, we walk among the vineyards-out in the forest and come back and sit over the fire. Suss: As matters stand now, my Lord President, I dare promise you quite definitely honour and promotion. End of Act I,

FOUND everywhere in Germany enthusiasm for "Herr" Baldwin.eat Noble. ECHENT progress has made war a less unsuitable occupation for mid~ dle-aged people than it was in 1914.- . Herbert Levinstein.