Anarchist Cruises
by thecollective
Jun 18, 2026
From Anarchistories by Tom Goyens
When Radical Politics Went Steamboating
In July 1900, Jewish stage actors were invited to perform during a steamboat excursion organized by the Yiddish-speaking anarchist movement. There was just one problem. Through their union, the actors declined, explaining that they were accustomed to performing on a fixed stage. As one representative put it, “No actor wishes to make a fool of himself, standing on a ship and acting scenes or declaiming there while the ship rocks.” The editors reassured them that no performance was necessary. “Instead of coming to our excursion as performers,” they replied, “we ask all Jewish actors and actresses to come as our guests.”1
