Circus of Jews
An Adaptation of

"For the Relief of Unbearable Urges"

by Nathan Englander

Haifa Theatre

Debut Performance: 24/09/2019

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Adaptation:  Ronnie Brodetzky and Danielle Cohen Levy

Directing: Ronnie Brodetzky

Set design: Ruth Miller

Lighting:  Hani Verdi, Yair Verdi

Costume design: Avishag Goldman [nominated for Best Costume Design]

Composer and music editor:  Ran Bagno

Movement: Tal Coon

Assistant Director: Lior Sabag

Cast: Lirit Balaban, Yoav Bar-Lev, Sharon Danon, Yael Levental / Keren Tzur, Sigalit Fuchs, Vladislav Peysahovich, Eyal Rozales, Ron Rychter

Photography: Yoav Itiel

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About the play:

In the heart of Brooklyn, New York, capital of the Free World, there exists a microcosm of Jews: wearing wigs, sporting black suits and hats, just like their ancestors in the shtetls of Europe. A stranger watching from the side might mistake them for part of a circus, and not just any circus - a circus of Jews.

 

Ruhama is looking for new hair, hoping to turn back the clock and feel beautiful again. Gita, on the other hand, wants to remove the hair growing on her chin, and who knows? Maybe she’ll find love while she's at it. Bonneh wants to pay the bills at last, but her husband, a God-fearing bum, prefers the synagogue over having electricity in their home. They are all struggling to put down roots in their environment without losing their identity.

 

The play presents a dramatic, funny, dark, brilliant and heartbreaking human mosaic that exposes the constant conflict between displacement and rootedness. It illuminates the different faces of Jewish existence in the twenty-first century, and the various dilemmas of religious Jews facing the challenges of modern life.

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From the reviews:

"Four ultra-Orthodox women are at the centre of a fun and touching play, which provides an ironic, heartrending view of the ultra-Orthodox community in New York.

Directed by Brodetzky, the play flows effortlessly on the colorful stage designed by Ruth Miller, which reminds us of New York's skyscrapers in the background. The eight actors deliver performances that are full of grace, humor, and humanity.

In short, it's an enjoyable, moving performance that provides an ironic and poignant look at people living in a world parallel to ours, which operates according to completely different societal rules."

Shay Bar-Yaakov, 24 Hours

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“This play is superb – funny, bitter, and humanity-loving. Thanks to the wonderful adaptation and excellent acting, the ultra-Orthodox characters are human more than anything – and this is the secret to their charm. "

Asaf Kugler, Makor Rishon