If you like your theatre funny, a little bit silly, and with a Jewish twist then all your Chanukahs have come at once with the opening of not one, but two of Nick Cassenbaum’s productions recently.
The JW3 panto, now in its third year, has become a much-loved part of the festive calendar, and this year may be the best yet. Cinderella and the Matzo Ball is a reimagining of the classic fairy tale, with all the traditional elements of pantomime plus a huge helping of humour as Jewish as chicken soup!
Talia Pick makes her pantomime debut in the title role as Cinderella, who in this production is a Jewish baker living in Yeast Finchley working for her family business, Breadzinski’s, where she is made to do everything by her nasty sisters, Milchig (played by Rosie Yadid) and Fleishig (Libby Liburd). She dreams of one day escaping from her servitude and hopes that an invitation from Prince Charming to attend the (matzo) ball will be her chance.
A visit from her fairy godmother transforms her into a princess complete with crystal (not glass) slippers and she is given strict instructions to return home before Shabbos. Debbie Chazen, a JW3 panto regular, plays Fairy Cake bringing the funny with a large slice of bakery-related puns.
As the clock strikes and Cinderella runs off, she leaves behind a crystal slipper. This sparks a search by Prince Charming and an adventure that sees Cinderella banished from the Kosher Kingdom to Treif Land, where, after being chased by a giant lobster (this is Treif Land after all), she realises that her true Prince was actually under her nose all along in her best friend Buttons (also known as Pipik), played with energy and enthusiasm by Talya Soames. Throughout the action, broadcaster Emma Barnett plays local reporter, Emma Barnett (By Pass, Hospital etc) whose dulcet tones update the audience of key developments of the story.
Alongside the cast, is a well thought out sound track where even the song choices themselves are packed with knowing kosher connections. From the opening number, One Short Day in the Kosher Kingdom, to the finale, Moshiach, all played by the onstage band – Klezmer specialist and musical director Josh Middleton, alongside trumpeter and tuba player Oliver Presman and award-winning drummer Migdalia van der Hoven – there is no mistaking that this is a panto that joyfully celebrates Jewishness. It’s a fun, family-friendly show that works on many Jewish levels, making it perfect festive viewing for audiences of all ages.
Whilst Cinderella ends with a happy ending (spoiler-alert), Revenge: After the Levoyah begins with a death.
When twin siblings Lauren and Dan (non-identical) attend the funeral of their grandfather, they encounter East End gangster-type Malcolm Spivak, who has come not only to pay his respects but to recruit the pair into a cunning – though deeply ill-thought-out – plan to kidnap Jeremy Corbyn. This is Essex 2019, and Malcolm has ‘had enough’. Tired of the rise in antisemitism in the UK, and the fear felt by many Jewish people as a result, he considers the then-Labour leader Corbyn to be the chief aggressor and believes he must be taught a lesson.
Through this meshuge adventure – which sees the police, MI5 and even Mossad getting involved – Gemma Barnett and Charlie Cassen not only play the twins but every character from the gold-chain wearing Spivak himself, the DM wearing liberal female rabbi and frail yet lethal Holocaust survivor Moishe. The pair transition effortlessly between roles, often at breakneck speed, as the story gathers momentum.
Winner of the Edinburgh First Award 2024, Revenge: After the Levoyah directed by Emma Jude Harris, is thought-provoking, funny and well-observed. Like the panto, it is unapologetically Jewish, though here the laughs sit alongside something darker, showing that Jewish comedy can deliver big laughs whilst tackling serious issues.
Oh yes it can!
Book your tickets now, for JW3 panto and Revenge: After the Levoyah:
Cinderella and the Matzo Ball – runs until Sun 4 January
Revenge: After the Levoyah – runs until Sat 24 January at Soho Theatre
JLGB Chief Executive Neil Martin appointed CBE in New Year Honours List
Neil Martin, Chief Executive of the Jewish Lads’ & Girls’ Brigade (JLGB), has been appointed Commander of the
