|
The fourth series of
auditions, which were given last Wednesday for the
actors who had made their applications to become members
of the Yiddish [Hebrew] Actors' Union, evoked a
significant interest among the members of the acting
profession because, among those of the candidates who
had made an audition one could find several prominent
actors who had made their mark in the better Yiddish
theatre.
Saying that, actors who were truly
talented and had love for the better Yiddish theatres,
selected for their auditions scenes and monologues from
the better plays of talented dramatists. The greatest
portion of candidates who had made an audition last
Wednesday [February 17] had chosen dramatic scenes and
situations, and the selections were mostly parts from
literary plays that lately seem quite rare on the
Yiddish stage; also scenes from the melodrama types,
which often are missing lately from the Yiddish theatre.
The auditions of several candidates were so fine, and
the acting was so filled with talent, that they provided
a true genius. The large audience, almost all
professional actors, greatly enjoyed themselves.
The best audition was made by the
well-known comic Max Bozyk. He performed in the role of
Lazar Badkhan, in Jacob Gordin's famous drama, "God, Man
and Devil." This particular role in the past had been
performed by the famous comics Mogulesko, Katzman and
Tornberg. Last Wednesday Max Bozyk made his audition in
the same role, and he played it with such mastery that
he excited the entire audience. It was a true pleasure
to see him on stage.
Mr. Bozyk began his acting career
in Warsaw. He had for a time acted in Argentina. Within
two years he was brought from Argentina to New York by
the well-known actor and theatre manager Herman
Yablokoff. He had seen Bozyk's acting, and he happily
engaged him for one of his two theatres, which Yablokoff
had managed during the last years in New York. Mr. Bozyk
came here with his wife, who is also a talented actress.
She also made an audition last Wednesday, and they both
were taken into the union. They were an important gain
for the Yiddish theatre.
In her audition Mrs. Bozyk played a
scene from a Soviet play with the name, "Der urteyl (The
Verdict)," in which there was portrayed the struggle
among the Russian Army during the first years of the
Soviet revolution. She made a fine impression with her
acting, and she received strong applause.
A very fine audition was made by
the well-known young actress Judith Abarbanel. She
played a scene from I.J. Singer's famous play, "Yoshe
Kalb." She performed in the role of Malkele. When "Yoshe
Kalb" was staged by the Yiddish Art Theatre,
Judith played the role of Serele, the young rabbi's
wife.
Judith Abarbanel is not a new face
in the Yiddish theatre. She is a talented actress; in
her acting one can note the school of the art theatre.
It is a wonder that she has not, until now, become a
member of the Actors' Union.
A fine audition was also made by
Malvina Rappel. She played the role of Hindel from the
play, "The God of Vengeance." After she sung a song.
Mrs. Rappel came here a few years ago with the "Polish
Bande." Here she performed in various theatres. Now she
underwent her audition and became a member of the
Yiddish Actors' Union.
Among the other candidates who made
an audition last Wednesday were Rosetta Yaeger, Malvina
Samuylow and Morris Tarlowsky. Rosetta Yaeger played a
dramatic scene from "Every Woman's Desire." Malvina
Samuylow played a scene from "Love and Passion," and
Morris Tarlowsky chose a scene from the melodrama,
"Bought and Paid For."
The last three candidates were not
new actors. They already have played for a long time on
the Yiddish stage in the provincial theatres.
All seven candidates who made their
auditions last Wednesday were taken into the Yiddish
Actors' Union.
------------------------
5 ACTORS ADMITTED, 3 REJECTED AT
THE
LAST YIDDISH ACTORS' UNION AUDITIONS
published in the Yiddish Forward
newspaper on February 26, 1943
translated by Steven Lasky
The chain of those taken into the
Actors' Union was interrupted last Wednesday by the
fifth series of this year's auditions, when
only five of the eight candidates who had taken exams
were taken into the union, and three candidates were
rejected.
As to the auditions, as it was, a
large audience came. Among the candidates who made
auditions were several well-known actors who had already
played for a long time in Yiddish theatre, and they
performed with concerts and literary evenings.
The following actors made auditions
and were admitted into the union:
Vera Rosanko (known under the name
of "The Yiddish Shikse") a scene from the play, "Men
Without Eyes."
Stella Schulman played the role of
Yentele Piskevate, from the play, "God Bless America."
Michal Gibson made his audition
with a scene from "Yoshe kalb," in the role of the
Nevisher Rabbi.
Gertie Shargel at her audition
performed as Geneshe, from the play, "The Second
Wedding." She also sang a song.
Abe Zweig performed as Uriel Mazik,
from "God, Man and Devil."
All five are now union actors and
are recognized members of the acting profession.
The three who were rejected were:
Leonard Whiteman, Sarah Kindman
[wife of Jacob Mestel], and Sam Isaacowitz. |
