Elizabeth Polack
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Polack was an English
playwright of the 1830s, notable for having been described by chroniclers of the period as England's first Jewish woman melodrama
tist.
Few historical records survive which detail Elizabeth Polack's life. Although neither the year nor place of her birth have been noted, documentation of her activity as a playwright active in London
between 1830 and 1838 remains for posterity. Contemporary records credit her with five plays, only two of which, Esther, the Royal Jewess; or The Death of Haman
and St. Clair of the Isles; or The Outlaw of Barra
, have survived. Esther, with a story taken from the Old Testament
, and considered in its time to be a type of an "Exotic East" melodrama, was successfully produced in 1835 at London's Mile End
Pavilion Theatre in the East End
(the Pavilion was later a centre for Yiddish theatre
in London). 1838's St. Clair, based on an 1803 novel by Elizabeth Helme, met, however, with a very modest reception.
Polack may have been a relation of Joel Samuel Polack
, the first Jewish settler of New Zealand. Joel's biographer writes that he lived with his sister in Piccadilly when he first returned to England; that sister may have been Elizabeth.
No other details have emerged regarding Elizabeth Polack, including the year, place and circumstances of her death.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
playwright of the 1830s, notable for having been described by chroniclers of the period as England's first Jewish woman melodrama
Melodrama
The term melodrama refers to a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and characters in order to appeal to the emotions. It may also refer to the genre which includes such works, or to language, behavior, or events which resemble them...
tist.
Few historical records survive which detail Elizabeth Polack's life. Although neither the year nor place of her birth have been noted, documentation of her activity as a playwright active in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
between 1830 and 1838 remains for posterity. Contemporary records credit her with five plays, only two of which, Esther, the Royal Jewess; or The Death of Haman
Haman (Bible)
Haman is the main antagonist in the Book of Esther, who, according to Old Testament tradition, was a 5th Century BC noble and vizier of the Persian empire under King Ahasuerus, traditionally identified as Artaxerxes II...
and St. Clair of the Isles; or The Outlaw of Barra
Barra
The island of Barra is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island, and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay, to which it is connected by a causeway, is the southernmost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.-Geography:The 2001 census showed that the resident population was 1,078...
, have survived. Esther, with a story taken from the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
, and considered in its time to be a type of an "Exotic East" melodrama, was successfully produced in 1835 at London's Mile End
Mile End
Mile End is an area within the East End of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross...
Pavilion Theatre in the East End
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
(the Pavilion was later a centre for Yiddish theatre
Yiddish theatre
Yiddish theatre consists of plays written and performed primarily by Jews in Yiddish, the language of the Central European Ashkenazi Jewish community. The range of Yiddish theatre is broad: operetta, musical comedy, and satiric or nostalgic revues; melodrama; naturalist drama; expressionist and...
in London). 1838's St. Clair, based on an 1803 novel by Elizabeth Helme, met, however, with a very modest reception.
Polack may have been a relation of Joel Samuel Polack
Joel Samuel Polack
Joel Samuel Polack was one of the first Jewish settlers in New Zealand, arriving in 1831. He is regarded as an authority on pre-colonial New Zealand and his two books are often cited.-Early life:...
, the first Jewish settler of New Zealand. Joel's biographer writes that he lived with his sister in Piccadilly when he first returned to England; that sister may have been Elizabeth.
No other details have emerged regarding Elizabeth Polack, including the year, place and circumstances of her death.
Plays by Elizabeth Polack
- Alberti; or The Mines of Idria (no copy known to exist)
- Angeline; or The Golden Chain (no copy known to exist)
- Woman's Revenge (1832; attributed by some sources to John Howard PayneJohn Howard PayneJohn Howard Payne was an American actor, poet, playwright, and author who had most of his theatrical career and success in London. He is today most remembered as the creator of "Home! Sweet Home!", a song he wrote in 1822 that became widely popular in the United States, Great Britain, and the...
) - Esther, the Royal Jewess; or The Death of Haman (1835)
- St. Clair of the Isles; or The Outlaw of Barra (1838)
External links
- Esther, The Royal Jewess. Edited (with an introduction) by John Franceschina. British Women Playwrights Around 1800. 15 October 2000.