The Yellow Ticket (play)

The Yellow Ticket is a 1914 play written by American playwright Michael Morton. It is a melodrama that explores themes of antisemitism, forced prostitution, and social injustice in Tsarist Russia.

The play's narrative centers on Marya Varenka, a young Jewish woman living in St. Petersburg. In order to visit her ailing father who lives outside the Pale of Settlement (an area where Jews were restricted to live), she is forced to obtain a "yellow ticket," a document that identifies her as a prostitute. This subjects her to constant harassment and discrimination. The plot thickens with elements of mistaken identity, romantic entanglements, and ultimately, a desperate attempt by Marya to clear her name and escape her predicament.

The Yellow Ticket was controversial in its time due to its frank portrayal of anti-Jewish prejudice and the exploitative nature of the Tsarist regime. Its success on stage led to several film adaptations, including silent films and a sound film directed by Raoul Walsh in 1931, starring Elissa Landi. The play and its adaptations sparked debate about censorship and the portrayal of social issues on stage and screen. While melodramatic in its presentation, The Yellow Ticket served as a vehicle for raising awareness about the plight of Jews in Russia and the pervasive social injustices of the era.