Shtisel Star hits the West End stage

As Ruchama Weiss in the supreme Israeli saga Shtisel, Shira Haas made us cry, question our faith and was the last face we saw when the series ended. Some are still praying for its return and may care to mention that when she arrives in London to star in Opening Night at the Gielgud Theatre in March. In Unorthodox, that other celebrated Jewish series about orthodoxy, Shira, as protagonist Esty, sang a Satmar song for her audition at Berlin’s Conservatory of Music and it was beautiful.

It therefore follows that her West End debut is in a musical opposite Sheridan Smith, with music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright. Directed and conceived by Ivo van Hove, Opening Night is based on John Cassavetes’ 1977 film of the same name, which is about a stage actress who, after witnessing the accidental death of one of her fans, is haunted by a recurring apparition of the deceased woman, spurring a nervous breakdown as she prepares for the première of a Broadway play.

This is big emotional stuff, but the petite Tel Aviv-born actor is not averse to a challenge, as she is playing Sabra, an Israeli superheroine in Captain America: Brave New World, which will be released in 2025. Supporting an Israeli star on the London stage is our focus now, and Shira should not be surprised if she is sent food parcels by Shtisel fans inspired by those Ruchama took to yeshiva student Hanina to show love and admiration.

Opening Night runs from 6 March to 27 July. https://openingnightmusical.com