The Jewish theatre initiative that creates a safe space for artists and audiences
Joyfully Jewish is putting on a performance at JW3 this weekend
Theatre director Rachel Gaffin is a woman with a mission, and that mission is to create a safe space where Jewish creatives can perform and where Jewish audiences can see wonderful Jewish theatre.
She set up Joyfully Jewish after October 7, wanting to use her experience as a theatre producer and performer to do something positive for Jewish people. “I launched it to create performances where Jewish audiences could come and leave politics and worry at the door, and spend an enjoyable evening being entertained. It is a space where Jewish performers, many of whom have have been cancelled, can stage their work.
“I was also very conscious that Jewish theatre can sometimes be northwest London centric, and I was determined that we should bring Jewish theatre to other parts of the capital. I also wanted to give a voice to often underrepresented Jewish people.”
Joyfully Jewish is supported by six major Jewish charitable trusts who agree with Rachel about the importance of bringing Jewish stories to life on stage at a time of unprecedented antisemitism.
Staged as part of Jewish Culture Month, Joyfully Jewish: Getting On premiered at artsdepot on in May and June, then went The Studio Theatre, New Wimbledon and the Redbridge Arts Centre. The show featured five new short comedic plays, and a selection of musical theatre songs, the title Getting On referencing performers who are not only getting on stage but also getting on in age.
“All the plays are new writing and are about being older, growing wiser and refusing to age gracefully. All are written by Jewish playwrights and are about the things that happen when you are older, like starting to date again,” says Rachel.
“I think it is important that we recognise the talent of older, established, and experienced, actors. There can be a tendency for some of them to become invisible, especially female performers, so I am thrilled to have staged these short but brilliant plays, with wonderful actors including former Hollywood star Jack Klaff and West End star Giselle Woolf.”
This weekend, JoyfullyJewish: Rainbows on Rye is being performed at JW3. This is an evening of five short plays and four songs celebrating the Jewish LGBTQ+ community, coming out, being proud and feeling guilty about missing Friday night dinner!
Joyfully Jewish: Rainbows on Rye is on 21 June at JW3. jw3.org.uk
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