Annual Play of Deutscher Verein

The Deutscher Verein has decided on "Alt-Heidelberg" as its annual spring production. Performances will be given in Brattle Hall on Wednesday, April 27, and on Friday, April 29, in Jordan Hall, Boston. A choir of Germans from Boston will sing selections of German songs at each performance. A series of pictures illustrating the play, as it was given in Germany several years ago, has been posted in the rooms of the Verein, where the members may view them. The play was first brought into prominence in the fall of 1903 at the Irving Place Theatre, New York, when Richard Mansfield took the part of Karl Heinrich, the Prince of Carlsburg.

Plot of "Alt-Heidelberg."

The plot of the play is as follows: The young Prince Karl finds in the free student life at Heidelberg an undreamptof relief from the petty binding formalities of court life. Here he falls in love with Kathie, the pretty waitress at Rueder's Inn. But finally he goes back to his kingdom, since "he may not as unvalued persons do, carve for himself." Two years later he returns to Heidelberg on a visit only to part from Kathie forever.

The predominant charm of the play is its exposition of Bohemia; it "discovers student life in one of the most delightful cities of the old world, and a scrupulous fidelity to the aspect of the romantic old German city and the sports and songs of the gay Heidelberg students is rendered in the absolute likeness of life."

It has been decided that only members of the Verein will take part in the performance this year, and that no outsiders will be asked to fill the women's parts.