Acclaimed playwright and theatremaker Nick Cassenbaum and Plotnek Productions presents REVENGE: After the Levoyah – a brand new two-hander comedy-heist that romps through Jewish Essex. After the Levoyah will be showing at Summerhall during Edinburgh Fringe from 1-26 August.
Set in 2018, After the Levoyah joins twins Dan and Lauren at their grandfather’s funeral (levoyah), where they meet former gangster Malcolm Spivak. Malcolm, who has ‘had enough’, enlists the siblings in a ragtag Yiddishe heist to kidnap then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Gemma Barnett is a performer in After the Levoyah.
Gemma Barnett is an award winning actor, writer and poet. In 2020 Gemma won the 2020 Off-West End Award for Best Actor in a play for her solo performance as Rory in ‘A Hundred Words for Snow’ at Trafalgar Studios.
1. Tell us about REVENGE: After the Levoyah
REVENGE: After the Levoyah is a comic two-hander about Jewish Essex twins Dan and Lauren. After the death of their Grandpa, they are co-opted by an old east end, Jewish gangster, Malcolm, in his heist to kidnap Jeremy Corbyn. It is a quick, hilarious and political piece that shows us what can happen when fear, hysteria and disorganisation meet.
2. Who are the main character(s) in the show and what are they like?
The play centres around Lauren and Dan. Lauren is fierce, opinionated and thinks of herself as a radical. She’s an excellent poker player and sick to death of her mother trying to set her up with a nice Jewish boy. Dan is the kind of guy who tends to get swept up in the action around him. He often finds himself drowned out by strong, vocal women that drive the decision making. Poor lad. He also eats pickles straight from the jar.
3. How does it feel to be bringing After the Levoyah to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
We are so excited to be bringing this show to the Fringe. The Anatomy Lecture Hall at Summerhall is the perfect venue for it and to get to perform it immediately after a general election feels pretty special/important.
4. Have you done the Fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the Fringe?
I have! My advice would be: as an extroverted introvert it’s ok to take some timeout when you need it. Go and lie on some grass/have a nap. Also see shows and support other artists – the best thing about the fringe is the community you get to be a part of. Lastly, Arthur’s Seat is worth it – especially at the end of the run.
5. What do you hope that audiences will take away from REVENGE: After the Levoyah?
I hope the audience will leave the theatre having laughed a lot. But I hope that there will be a lot of thinking and reflection that will follow that laughter. To me (and especially in playing Lauren) the piece is about the journey to radicalisation. I think that’s a pretty important conversation to be having right now.
6. What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh during August?
Seeing everyones’ shows. I will also visit Mary’s Milk Bar whatever the weather.