The German play is a translation or adaptation of the French play La Mendiante, by Anicet-Bourgeois and Masson. The file contains materials related to rehearsal and performance, including a published copy (Berlin: Comissions-Verlag von Leopold Lassar, 1852), which has been annotated as a prompt-book; and 17 handwritten role books, for the following parts: Paul Berger, Schmied und Besitzer eines Eisenhammers; Margarethe, seine Frau; Therese, Bergers Mutter; Marie, Bergers Tochter, 7 Jahre alt; Baron Reindorf; Gräfin Leopoldine von Stetten; Ehrhard, Pfarrer; Lisbeth, seine Schwester; Brigitte, Kammermädchen; Christian, Diener; Franz, Diener; Frau Klette, Gastwirthin; Alcidor, Patini, and Joseph (drei Seiltänzer); Landrinette, Seiltänzerin; and ein Offizier. (The character list shows just one additional role: ein Eisenarbeiter.) The published copy and 13 of the role books are marked as the property of Theodor Bloch, who was active in German-language theater in Philadelphia from at least the early 1870s until the mid 1890s, first as an actor and later as a prompter, and who ran a theater lending library. Names of actors and actresses on the covers of role books reflect performances in Philadelphia from the late 1870s through the 1880s. See the index in the collection's register for details about 3 related playbills (folders 677, 679 and 681), one oversized playbill (folder 720) and one theater newspaper (folder 694). (The play was performed under the title "Die Bettlerin von Marienberg.")
