Synagogue Scratch at Manchester Jewish Museum
Kristy Stott, Theatre EditorThis spring, Manchester Jewish Museum launches a brand-new season of work-in-progress performance exploring stories of Jewish Manchester. ‘Synagogue Scratch’ celebrates fresh, inspiring Jewish Mancunian stories – you’ll find script-in-hand performances and developmental work alongside fully formed theatrical pieces.
For this inaugural season of ‘Synagogue Scratch’, the museum has announced three unique performances taking place in the beautiful setting of the museum’s historic grade II* listed Spanish and Portuguese synagogue. Seize the opportunity to see some brand-new theatre by talented local artists. It’s quite thrilling to know that audiences might be seeing the early beginnings of performance ideas that will grow into full theatre pieces.
The line-up includes a script-in-hand performance by Manchester-based actor and comedian, Ellie Silver on 26 March. Beth’s Din is a comedy sitcom that explores the experiences of Manchester’s first-ever female rabbi and her struggle for acceptance.
Happening on 2 April, We Wish You Long Life is a work-in-progress theatre piece by Mancunian actor and writer, Amy Lever. The narrative focuses on Steven and David, two estranged half-brothers, who are brought together for a shiva where longstanding family secrets are revealed.
Completing the line-up is Julia Pascal’s play A Manchester Girlhood on 23 April. A theatre piece about three daughters of Romanian Jews who grow up in Manchester during the 20th century and experience war, love, loss and rivalry.
All tickets to this season include entry to a show and an opportunity to chat with the artists after each piece. Audiences are encouraged to provide the artists with feedback on their performance, becoming an integral part of the development process and the shaping of the work. Your ticket also gets you a post-performance beverage from the museum’s cafe.
So whether you’re into TV dramas, historical pieces or theatre productions, be sure to support these bold and bright new performance works at Manchester Jewish Museum this spring.