Captain Dreyfus (One Act Play by Jacob Gordin)

By Jacob Gordin

"Captain Dreyfus" a drama by Jacob Gordin. A group with a strong male lead actor could produce this powerfully. The Dreyfus affair: a French officer of Jewish descent was falsely convicted of treason in 1894.

This placard announces the presentation of two plays at the Windsor, both starring Jacob P. Adler. The first is "The Yiddish King Lear," to be performed on 2 October 1898, and "Der Yudisher Kapitan Drayfus oyf dem Tayvel's Inzel" [The Jewish Captain Dreyfus on Devil's Island], to be performed during the next two evenings.
The original poster of this play announced: 'Who has not read about the sad case of Captain Dreyfus? Who has not trembled and shuddered at the reports of his torment on Devil's Island? Who among you has not shed tears over the tragedy of the innocent Captain? What Jew is not concerned with his plight? If you want to witness the anti-Semitic conspiracy, the most extraordinary event of our time, come Monday or Tuesday evening to see The Jewish Captain Dreyfus on Devil's Island, written for Mr. Jacob P. Adler by the famous author, Jacob Gordin. After the performance, to celebrate the holiday season, Mme. Thomashefsky will give a Yiddish rendition of the famous song, 'Get Your Money's Worth'.'

Originally written in Yiddish, adapted in English by David Serero.

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Productions Group
• Release date: May 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463104057

Book preview

CAPTAIN DREYFUS

by

Jacob Gordin

Adapted in English by David Serero

CHARACTERS

(In the order of their appearance)

ALFRED DREYFUS

WATCHMAN

LUCY, DREYFUS’ WIFE

THEIR LITTLE GIRL

OFFICER No. 1

PRESIDENT OF THE COURT-MATERIAL

GENERAL No. 1

OFFICERS, SOLDIERS, POPULACE

CAPTAIN DREYFUS

Notes from the Author: Jacob Gordin

Note 1. To reduce the number of males in the cast, there may be considerable doubling of characters. The populace may be composed largely of women.

Note 2. According to historical data, the child must have been about three years old at time of arrest. It may be well, for producing purposes, to omit this character, indicating Dreyfus’ affection for his children through the dialogue.

    ( As a prelude to the play, the roar of the sea is heard for several moments before rise of curtain .)

Time: Toward the end of Dreyfus’ imprisonment (1894-9)

Place: The bleak rock, forming one of the islands in the group known as Devil’s Island.

Scene: Interior of the small, gloomy hut in which Dreyfus is held captive, furnished only with a cot and