Elizabeth Polack

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Elizabeth Polack was an English playwright of the 1830s, notable for having been "the first Jewish woman melodramatist in England".

Few historical records survive detailing the life of Elizabeth Polack. 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.

Only two of the five plays with which she is credited survive. Esther, an exotic "Eastern" melodrama, was successfully produced in 1835 at the Pavilion Theatre, Mile End in the East End of London (the Pavilion was later a centre for Yiddish theatre in London). St. Clair of the Isles; or, The Outlaw of Barra (1838), was less successful.

No other details have emerged regarding Elizabeth Polack, including the year, place and circumstances of her death.

[edit] 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)
• Esther, the Royal Jewess; or The Death of Haman
• St. Clair of the Isles; or, The Outlaw of Barra
• Woman's Revenge (attributed by some sources to John Howard Payne)

[edit] References

• Franceschina, John. "Introduction to Elizabeth Polack's Esther". British Women Playwrights Around 1800, 11 paragraphs. 15 October 2000.

[edit] External links

• Esther, The Royal Jewess. Edited (with an introduction) by John Franceschina. British Women Playwrights Around 1800. 15 October 2000.