This brand-new show, starring Yaya As and directed by Lara Robinson, performed for one night at the Bread and Roses Clapham, and is transferring to Camden People’s Theatre on the 12th and 13th August as part of the Camden Fringe Theatre season, and at the King’s Head Theatre on the 17th August.
See it you must! It was utterly hilarious, baffling and ludicrous. Its title originates a Jewish Folklore tale, which becomes the central theme of this wonderful work-in-progress show. It presents a roster of Jewish men grappling with their masculinity through equally weird and whacky ways. Characters are all fantastically morphed and stylised by Yaya, a London-based Improv artist and creator based in London. Their talent in portraying and holding space for all the characters, captures the audience in this short-but-sweet performance, and explores themes of Judaism’s core values, how they are taught to Jewish youth, and how they play out in the Jewish eco-system.
From the get-go, Yaya throws punches and is not afraid to be frank about some of the experiences clearly based off real-life interactions, that have morphed into the roster of characters in this show. Character arc heavy and there is little plot in making this show one that you simply cannot look away from, as the audience is aggressively shunned through many lives, with revolving characteristics drawn off the Jewish experience. Just John is a Dalston Jew who loves his mummy a little too much. Mordy is a cringe-worthy camp counsellor who named his guitar after himself, and Aaron is fast approaching his Bar Mitzvah, of which he is scared to fluff up his Torah portion and needs the audience to help him find his voice. It is Yaya’s tenacity and flexibility to transition from character to character, as well as excellent character building. The show finishes with a desire to see it all over again.
Although this show is very much geared towards folks with an interest, background and understanding of Jewish culture, anyone will find this an entertaining offering. There are multiple references to the melting pot of Jewish traditions and cultural heritage, that all stems from Yaya’s heavy involvement and world-building of the Jewish experience.
There is not much more to say that wouldn’t spoil this incredible new piece of theatre. Yaya and Lara encompass what DIY and grassroots theatre is all about. With a clear vision and a direct line of focus, they know what they are doing, and they do it convincingly. Jewish theatre is sorely underrepresented in London’s theatre scene, and this is a brilliantly creative, inventive and bellyache inducing piece on Judaism’s most hilarious mainstays. Everyone’s got a funny story involving Jewish patriarchs, and this show proves it!
Catch the Wise Men of Chelm performing at Camden People’s Theatre.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
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