Mon 19 – Sat 24 Oct
Eves 7.45pm
Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm
Review
This 100 minute long play was quite something to behold. It rattled along at quite a pace. Three Jewish cousins in a small New York flat fighting it out over their recently deceased grandfather’s religious icon called a ‘chai.’
Daphna, (Ailsa Joy) has a sharp tongue and wants this possession the most, whereas Liam (Daniel Boyd) believes that as he is the eldest it should be his.
Younger brother Jonah, (Jos Slovick) tries to stay out of it. The fourth character Melody (Antonia Kinlay) is Liam’s non Jewish girlfriend who has loyally come to support him.
She has a most demanding role including a solo singing of the only song. Miss Kinlay plays it admirably.
Walking home we were discussing it all the way. It was certainly thought provoking and very moving.
Original Preview
The hilarious West End hit Bad Jews will run at Theatre Royal Brighton from Monday 19 to Saturday 24 October as part of a UK tour.
Produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Joshua Harmon’s searing comedy has delighted audiences and critics alike since its UK Premiere in July 2014.
This family drama enjoyed a sell out run at London’s St James Theatre in January and a subsequent West End transfer to the Arts Theatre, including an additional six weeks of performances added due to demand for tickets.
Bad Jews is set in New York where a beloved grandfather – a Holocaust survivor – has just died and a treasured family heirloom with religious significance is up for grabs.
But who is most deserving of it? Bossy, overbearing, fanatically religious Daphna? Her wealthy cousin Liam, who’s just returned from skiing with his non Jewish girlfriend Melody?
Or Jonah, his brother, who would prefer not to get involved in the fight?
A Manhattan apartment becomes the location for a viciously hilarious brawl over family, faith and legacy as the contenders set at each other’s throats on the night after the funeral.
For the new UK tour, the cast includes Daniel Boyd, whose television credits include BBC1’s Silk and E4’s Misfits.
Alisa Joy plays the role of Daphna. Her theatre credits include The Crucible at Oxford Playhouse, TimePlays at Hampton Court Palace, Pride and Prejudice at Drill Hall and ’Tis Pity She’s A Whore for the North Wall.
Jos Slovik appears as Jonah. His West End stage credits include Spring Awakening and Once – The Musical. His film and television credits include Les Miserables, Chugginton and The Addicted.
The cast is completed by Antonia Kinlay as Melody, whose television credits include Emmerdale, MI High and Doctors.
Michael Longhurst directed the UK premiere of Bad Jews.
His previous productions include Constellations starring Sally Hawkins and Rafe Spall for the Royal Court Theatre and in the West End;
Stovepipe, a promenade, co-production with the National Theatre, which featured in The Sunday Times’ Best Theatre of the Decade list; and If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet starring Jake Gyllenhaal at New York’s Roundabout Theatre.
He is an Associate Director of the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton and received the Jerwood Director’s Award at the Young Vic for Dirty Butterfly and a Fringe First Award for Guardians.
0844 871 7650*
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