PRODUCTION OF VEREIN PLAY

The Graduates' Night performance of "Zopf und Schwert" by the Deutscher Verein last evening was very successfully produced. Not only was the cast well trained and enthusiastic, but the setting and atmosphere of the production was well in keeping with the times, and the costumes were exquisite and harmonious.

The play, which is cast in the time of Fried rich Wilhelm I, is historical, and, curiously enough, its revival here coincides with its revival at the Royal Theatre in Berlin in honor of the Kaiser's fiftieth birthday, which was yesterday. The play itself gives a very entertaining sketch of the times of the father of Frederick the Great, contrasting his conservatism with his strictly military interests on one side, and on the other, with the new liberal movements which were taken up by the progressive elements of the court, especially the Crown Prince, and finally by the Queen and the Princess.

This cultural contrast gives the background for the story, which deals with the love affairs of the Princess. Many episodes in the play hardly noticed by the average spectator, have historical bearing; for instance, the part of Eckhoff, which Hanfstaengl played splendidly. The play does not say what every German knows, that this soldier who joins the actors, was to become the greatest actor of his time.

The role of the Prince, who is the lover of the Princess, was presented by Dr. Drexler with almost professional perfection, and Mr. Kuttner succeeded in giving a masterly impression of the King and his conservative Hohenzollern. The characters of his ministers and generals were delightfully given by Roth, Lempp, and Loewenberg.

The ladies who assisted the Deutscher Verein in the play were charming. The Queen, Miss Muensterberg, was remarkable, playing her part with a noble reserve. The Princess, Miss Tyng, and Fraulein von Sonnsfeld, Miss Monossowitch, played well together, and reminded one strongly of Minna von Barnhelm and Francisca in Lessing's play which was produced by the Deutscher Verein last year. In the last act, Miss Holden, as Frau von Holzendorf, was very charming. The "Tabakskollegium" of Friedrich Wilhelm I was very well done, and the atmosphere of the low studded room was made impressive by the candlelight.

The second performance of the play will be given in Copley Hall at 8.15 this evening, and will be open only to invited guests.