FAYGELE at London’s Marylebone Theatre

Ilan Galkoff as Ari Freed Photo Jane Hobson

Three years in the making, Shimmy Braun's insightful play Faygele is in performance at London's Marylebone Theatre, a delightful venue whose intimate space allows proximity and immersion into the performance.

This is a play that is profoundly moving. It is a play, based upon Braun's own experience, of self-actualisation, of taking the leap into truth at the expense of family, faith and tradition. To continue living a false existence is untenable, but to step forward into one's truth is terrifying. In his own life, Braun too faced he disapproval of the Orthodox Chasidic community in which he was brought up, but take it he did rather than continue his lie.

Ben Caplan (Dr Freed), Clara Francis (Mrs Freed) and Ilan Galkoff: photo Michael Warley

Although his own father was supportive of his son, in Faygele no such bond exists between young Ari Freed, played with absolute conviction by Ilan Galkoff, and his domineering father, Ben Caplan, whose performance as the bullying, cold parent is honest and terrifying. He will not accept his son as gay, it is unthinkable and so he mocks him, disowns him and does so with intense cruelty. We have taken Ari to our hearts, from the moment he appears in the auditorium, addressing directly the audience. He is likeable and vulnerable, with an innocence that is infectious. Somehow we want to protect him and are shocked at those who reject this young boy in his journey.

Ari Freed (Ilan Galkoff) and Andrew Paul (Rabbi Lev) Photo Jane Hobson

The slur of 'Faygele' is tauntingly cruel, a sickening jibe. It is a Yiddush word meaning little bird but has been taken as an insult to describe an effeminate man. And this is the dart he fires at his 13 year old son on the day of his barmitzvah, a day when a father should celebrate the coming of age. Clara Francis as the subservient wife is constantly beaten down and lacks the strength to fight her husband. Her rejection and use of the word is perhaps the biggest blow of all. Young Ari is alone to find his identity and to deal with its challenges. Despite the support of Rabbi Lev, played by Andrew Paul and the mentor Sammy Stein played by Yifttach Mizrahi the immaturity of Ari is unable to control and deal with the many complexities, seeing all attempts as failures and humiliations.

The complexities of the Jewish Orthodox community are captured by this Jewish cast whose own backgrounds will know and have experience of the many issues of the play. Their outstanding performance is intuitive and allows credibility to what is taking place on stage. Hannah Chissick's direction has enabled a realism which transmits to the audience, no matter what religious beliefs they may hold. At any and all levels there will be elicited an emotive response. It will touch all.

This is a play about humanity, empathy, truth and self acceptance. The tragedy is all consuming; no character escapes. A simple set design as a backdrop allows no detraction from the enormity of what is taking place on stage. Strikingly, this is its importance: the themes, the performance. It is a production well worth seeing and will leave you in deep thought.

Running time: 90 minutes, no interval

Photography: Jane Hobson and Michael Warley

Listings: Marylebone Theatre, Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT. Box office: 02077237984. boxoffice@marylebonetheatre.com. Playing until 31 May 2025. Instagram: @faygeleplay. Facebook: Faygele Play. Website: faygeleplay.com