By Linda Newman
There’s a new show in town and tickets are selling fast! Time to get your skates on if you don’t want to miss out on the musical Cable Street.
On Sunday 4 October 1936 cries of “They shall not pass” rang out across the Jewish heart of London’s East End as over 100,000 Jews, Communists, Irish dockers and trade unionists blocked the march of Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists intended to intimidate the Jews.
Now those chants of “They Shall Not Pass” are calling out once more… this time from the stage of a theatre, which tells the story of The Battle of Cable Street, through the lives of three young people, growing up against a background of rising tensions in the East End.
The show’s first outing in February opened to five star rave reviews and this second run, opening 6 September 2024, promises further accolades and a West End run beckons.
The Essex Jewish News caught up with lead actor 25-year-old Joshua Ginsberg – who revealed a remarkable co-incidence linking the character he plays with his great grandfather, who in real life was one of the Jewish anti-fascists who won the day against Mosley and his Black Shirts.
You can read the full story about actor Joshua Ginsberg, his great grandfather and Cable Street in the next issue of Essex Jewish News, available for Rosh Hashanah.
Cable Street runs from 6 September to 10 October at the Southwark Playhouse. Click here to book.
Suggested age: 13+
Price: £45/£35/£25 plus concessions
Evening Shows: 7.45pm
Matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm (extra matinees have now been added for Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 October)
On the 88th anniversary of Cable Street – Friday 4 October – there will be a discussion prior to the performance to include Professor Nadia Valman, co-editor of the book Remembering Cable Street: Fascism and Anti-fascism in British Society.
