Jewish-Indian play opens in London

Written by Jewish playwright Jess Clark, 28, East to West is a play that unites north west London with the East End. This queer love story tells the story of a Jewish woman who meets up with an Indian woman from Mumbai. Semi-autobiographical, one of the two lead characters, like Jess, suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome.

The play is written in in rhyming poetry because Jess, who studied English and Spanish at Durham University began her creative career primarily as a poet taking part in London’s live poetry. It was while she was at home recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome that she decided to use her creativity to write full length plays rather than just short poems.

“In East to West I explore the similarities between Jewish and Indian cultures because there are so many similarities. Food is important, as is a strong work ethic,” Jess says.

“I wanted to explore themes of migration, chronic illness and isolation. The characters in the play are Nell who is an aspiring poet and a chronically ill Asha, a Mumbai-born East Londoner, who keeps her queer identity hidden from her family. The two women connect on a dating app and tumble into an intense, hopeful romance.

“But as political tensions seep from their Instagram feeds into their real lives, the couple must confront whether their love can remain a refuge in a city growing ever more hostile.

“I wrote the play in response to the pressures of living in a digital world. It shows how, in a digital world, we move forward to find and make real, rather than virtual connections.”

East to West touring theatres in London and is at The Bridge House Theatre in Penge 29-30 April.  thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk