MAX OLESKER: MAKING THE CUT
Soho Theatre
★★★★
“full of laughs and highly moving and heartfelt”
Straight from the Edinburgh Fringe, Max Olesker’s one man performance invites audiences to share his very own love story. Just like Shakespeare wrote, ‘The course of true love never did run smooth.’! Like any other story of love, nothing is ever that simple. In order to marry, Max chooses to convert to Orthodox Judaism… despite already being Jewish!
Based on his first book Making the Cut, Olesker has adapted his real life story onto stage. This 60 minute show, directed by Tom Parry, tells the tales of trials and tribulations within the Jewish conversion process.
As you enter the intimate venue, the scene is set with two chairs, a table and a white sheet. These basic props are all Olesker needs to totally immerse you into his world. From the moment the show begins you are transported. With the clever use of music and impeccable timing, you are taken on a journey of love and acceptance within the Jewish community. The show even includes its very own original musical number! What more could you want?
Making the Cut takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. It is full of laughs and highly moving and heartfelt. Max’s story telling skills are impeccable and keep the audience engaged from start to finish. The way Olesker moves across the stage makes you feel like you are the only one in the room and the story is being told just for you.
The complexity of the Jewish Religion is shared and explained throughout the show. But ultimately, no matter what you believe the story of love is universal. Oleskser focuses on human connection and life and as we all know life is never easy. It is full of challenges. Despite sometimes feeling waterlogged by religion this show proves that if he wanted to, he would! If going through an adult circumcision doesn’t prove this, I don’t know what does!
Having seen Max Olesker: Making the Cut on the opening night, I can let you know that this tale of love, family and religion is definitely something you do not want to miss.
MAX OLESKER: MAKING THE CUT
Soho Theatre
Reviewed on 5th November 2026
by Louise Ray
