BAD JEWS - THEATRE REVIEW (UK Tour)

Performance Reviewed: Tuesday 3 May 2016 (Press Night)

Joshua Harmon’s Bad Jews has been billed by many (and certainly marketed as such) as an uproariously funny original piece of comedy theatre, one whose audacious, almost ‘look at this’ verve has been punctuated by its bold, unabashed and intriguing title that famously saw itself banned from the London underground during its run in the capital last year. 

A cynical mind may conclude it to be the efforts of a writer and production team trying a touch toohard to nestle their work in a contemporary lacuna of unfiltered expression and borderline hipster-esque self-assuredness, and in truth it is a critique that could be levied at a lot of what Bad Jewsoffers - being oh-so-modern in its perspectives, dialogue and deconstruction of what Judaism even is in the 21st Century - but to simply disregard it as a slightly preachy, post-modern exploration of faith as it relates to modern life and people would be to overlook some of the strong character and observational work done here.

A heavy opening to a review as that may be, it’s prescient nevertheless - Bad Jews never quitemanages to shake off its own sense of inadvertent self-awareness; too often do the discussions, disagreements and monologuing between its core troupe of characters play out as issue theatre with an (admittedly fair and balanced) agenda as opposed to the more organic interplay all involved seemed to be gunning for. 

"Never quite manages to shake off its own sense of

inadvertent self-awareness; too often do the discussions,

disagreements and monloguing play out as issue theatre...

as opposed to the more organic interplay all involved

seem to be gunning for."

Thankfully, the character work done throughout is mostly great, and the cast lend it a tremendous amount of conviction. Telling the story of three Grandchildren of a recently deceased Jewish man on the evening after his funeral, one of whom has brought along his new girlfriend, each cog in the Bad Jews wheel is well realised and plays an integral, and sometimes unpredictable, part in the story that unfolds. The issue of fidelity to faith, and indeed family, is introduced very early on by the wilful, overbearing force of nature that is young Daphna (an impressive Ailsa Joy), all frizzy hair, devout fierceness and the obligatory Israeli boyfriend-in-waiting. Her foil is cousin Liam (Ilan Goodman), who not only missed his Grandfather’s funeral in favour of a Ski trip with new squeeze Melody (Antonia Kinlay), but also generally disregards his faith and heritage with calm abandon. Caught between the sparring relatives, despite his protestations, is Jonah (Jos Slovick), who finds himself in the middle of a debate which springs initially from two very different perspectives on what to do with one of their Grandfather’s most important and cherished possessions.

Bad Jews has some great sequences and nicely observed moments, and actually registers strongest during some of the more measured and subtle two-handers between its characters.  There are nuggets of genuinely insightful and profound exploration of not just faith, but also the contradictions and colours of its own characters. Daphna, for instance, is unashamedly forthcoming and unapologetic in her judgements and brashness, overbearing and frank to the point of frustration and rudeness, and yet it’s impossible to shake the sense that her bravura comes from a place of sheer conviction, and, towards the end of the show, gives a touching clarity to why she is so unyielding in her determination to uphold the traditions of her faith.

"Bad Jews actually registers strongest during some

of the more measured and subtle two-handers

between its characters... there are nuggets

of genuinely insightful and profound exploration."

It’s an interesting watch, to be sure, seeing these contradictory yet strangely complementary group of individuals jostling over some fairly grand subject matter and ideology over the course of the lean 100 minute run time, and there is plenty of humour and levity peppered in throughout. If anything though, there are times when Bad Jews whips about almost schizophrenically with tone and approach, moving from a resonant, meaningful character study to borderline farce in the blink of an eyelid, and it’s a shame that particularly towards the end it has a tendency to throw subtlety to the window, leaning a little too heavily on the moral pontificating or more heightened, aggressive or comical confrontations. 

In all, how much you enjoy Bad Jews will likely centre on exactly what you go in expecting. Its characters are the real pull here, with the performances from Joy and Slovick in particular a joy to watch. It is the kind of show you can walk away from having in-depth discussion and dialogue over its characters and the issues they embrace, or, conversely, a fresh, funny comedy piece about a dysfunctional, didactic Jewish family. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, there is plenty to enjoy and recommend in Bad Jews, but be prepared for a show which, outside of its strong performances and moments of inspired discourse, doesn’t quite escape from the shadows of its own intentions, and can’t quite ignite as either a wholly convincing drama or a must-see slice of original comedy.

RATING - ★★★

Tickets: 0844 871 3011  / Official Website: click

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