Entertainment - Home Page

Amber Gregory Archive

Reviewers

HACKNEY EMPIRE
presents:

BEAU JEST

by James Sherman

Director: Susie McKenna

Hackney Empire

7 May -1 June 2008

Couzens

A review by Amber Gregory for EXTRA! EXTRA!

Welcome to the world of Sarah Goldman: A pretty, intelligent kindergarten teacher who will do anything to please her family. Trapped in a lie because she doesn’t want her parents to find out that she is still dating her inappropriate non Jewish boyfriend, she hires an escort to be her stand in Jewish boyfriend at her father’s sixtieth family birthday meal. One small problem- the Jewish escort that she requested isn’t even Jewish. There is a panic, quick lessons in how to be a Jew whilst we the audience sit back and watch this hilarious play feeling as if we have stumbled into the live recording of Everybody Loves Raymond. We meet Mrs Goldman- a controlling yet kind mother with the tendency to wear extremely bright clothing; Mr Goldman- a daddy who just wants the best for his little girl; and brother Goldman- a psychologist who is determined to suss out any obscurity that Sarah’s new boyfriend might have.

The play itself is cleverly divided into three sections with two intervals in between: Mr Goldman’s sixtieth family birthday meal; A traditional Jewish family celebration; and I couldn’t possible disclose the final section- but it is indeed another family meal. This repetitive element to the play is incredibly interesting, as we see similar events occurring and yet each time the plot has progressed significantly. Beau Jest is not a difficult play, it is easy to watch and laugh without feeling too involved. I have the tendency to be drawn to Brechtian style political plays and it was unusual to go to the theatre and become drawn in to a different universe, then leave the theatre fully entertained, but not feeling the need to change the world. I have to say I liked it. I was not emotionally stirred by the play; it did not shock, disgust or disturb me. It was fun. A fun night out to laugh and drink feeling sorry for Sarah Goldman’s family troubles and not have to think about anything in your own life. Undoubtedly this play would have a lot more relevance to someone who was actually Jewish. Having gone to an all girls north London school it was not a world that I could not understand, but I can imagine that if someone has no knowledge of Jewish lifestyle and culture many of the jokes in the performance may not make much sense. What the performance does show however- which is something that affects most of us- is how far someone is willing to go because they want to please their family and the efforts they will go to, to achieve this.

Just like the play the set is warm and bubbly. Bright yellows are used to create a bright and homely atmosphere. The play takes place in 80’s Chicago and the set is appropriate for this, as is the fun music. I feel as if I couldn’t possibly single out any one performer without feeling guilty towards another. The cast of six work impeccably together, creating a real complicite within the group and working the already funny script to the maximum.

If you want a night of laughter with friends, a partner or family- this hilarious, well written, light hearted rom-com is the perfect night out for you.

Performance Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday 14th, 21st, 28th 2.30 matinees
Sunday 11th and 18th 5pm matinees
Sunday 25th and 1st 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Performance length: 2 hours, including two 10 minute intervals

Tickets: £22.50, £19.50, £17.50 + concs
Box Office: 020 8985 2424
Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St. London, E8 1EJ
www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Reviewers

Amber Gregory Archive