Shalom Baby ~ Theatre Royal Stratford East
New writing by Rikki Beadle-Blair, Shalom Baby currently playing at the Theatre Royal Stratford East spans two separate eras, in two separate cities, and focuses on relationships within the sphere of the social, racial and religious branding we lay upon ourselves and each other regardless of the place and time we live in. I was privileged to be invited down for Press Night and after a bit of an adventure in order to even enter the space (the entrance having changed due to a new transverse arrangement of the theatre’s staging for this season, means a trek around the building to gain access) a lively audience gathered for press night giggled their bemused way through lines of washing draped above the front rows to find their seats. The pleasant and friendly buzz of anticipation, even before the well-choreographed beginning of the play gave for a great kick off to the evening. Opening in 1930’s Berlin and swiftly flinging us via a deftly delivered rap solo into modern day Brooklyn all actors play two parallel roles, one in each metropolis. In each time sphere the story revolves around a Jewish matriarchal family and those very close to them, but dealing with the issues of their time in diverse ways. The comparison forces a multi faceted look at the issues and legacies of race, religion, love, acceptance, family and fear in a tumble of gut punching comedy, and dramatic empathy. The cast as a whole is stellar but three actors in particular stand out. Mandy Fenton, glittering in her role of an unyielding Jewish matriarch, lovingly and efficiently takes the characters under her wing providing the backbone that tautens their bonds to each other throughout the trials of life, love and racial stereotyping that face them in each era. Toby Wharton superbly balances vulnerability and electric edginess as the young white male who in two spaces in time must find his place amongst the prejudice aimed at his peers while coming to uneasy terms with his own sizzling passion, and Richard Simons' raw, turbulent performance as both hapless drug addict and angry oppressed young Jew careering through life on two continents is volcanic. This play gets in your face, something you must expect from a comedy with subject matters comprising of the holocaust, homosexuality, and cultural stereotyping. It won't please everyone, but full of poignancy and brevity the sheer risks taken by the writer/director and cast are impressive and insightfully hard-hitting. In the early stages of it’s month long run it's pretty polished, though lags in a couple of places and one overly long concentration camp dream scene in particular was unnecessary, but none of that took away from the vibrant and thoughtful energy of the play. It’s something very different to what we normally see in off West End theatre and very refreshing it is to witness such pushing at boundaries and audience engagement with something uniquely fresh and challenging. After all, isn’t that what theatre is supposed to be? Shalom Baby runs at Theatre Royal Stratford East until 19th November. Go and see it, and then maybe go and see it again. It really is that sort of play!