FAYGELE
Marylebone Theatre
★★★★★
“allows us into a world that may be unfamiliar, and makes space for connection, truth, and healing”
Faygele is a powerful and moving theatrical piece written by Shimmy Braun and directed with sensitivity by Hannah Chissick. It’s a work that gives voice to those so often left unheard – particularly queer individuals navigating faith, family, and identity.
From the opening moment, the production draws you in with a cleverly designed stage (David Shields) where the actors not only perform, but move the set around them, symbolising the constant shifting of roles and expectations. At the centre of the story is Ari Freed, a young gay man growing up in an Orthodox Jewish family. Ilan Galkoff plays Ari with honesty and vulnerability, instantly capturing the audience’s attention. His portrayal offers a deeply personal look into what it means to grow up queer in a religious world that doesn’t always have space for difference.
Clara Francis brings complexity to the role of Mrs. Freed, Ari’s mother. She is caught between her love for her son and her desire to keep the family together in a community that clings to tradition. Her performance reflects the silent emotional labour so many mothers endure when trying to bridge impossible gaps. Ben Caplan, as Dr. Freed – the father – gives a gripping performance as a man torn between faith, pride, and fear. His internal conflict is portrayed with intensity, especially as he wrestles with the idea that his son’s identity could bring shanda (disgrace) upon the family.
A standout performance also comes from Andrew Paul as Rabbi Lev, who is perhaps the most quietly revolutionary character. Instead of condemning, he listens. He reflects. He questions. Through his character, the play asks whether faith can grow, evolve, and hold space for queerness without losing its roots. His attempt to guide the family with compassion rather than judgment adds a hopeful thread to the story.
What makes Faygele so impactful is its ability to speak across identities. You don’t need to be Jewish to feel the emotional weight of tradition, nor do you need to be LGBTQ+ to understand what it means to be silenced, othered, or misunderstood. The play confronts difficult topics homosexuality, mental health, and generational trauma with courage and care. Words like “suicide” and “shame” are not hidden here, they’re spoken, embodied, and honoured in a way that invites dialogue rather than silence.
In a time when we often talk about inclusivity but struggle to practise it, Faygele does something rare: it listens deeply. It allows us into a world that may be unfamiliar, and makes space for connection, truth, and healing. For anyone interested in queer stories, Jewish representation, or simply great theatre, Faygele is more than a play, it’s a must see.
FAYGELE
Marylebone Theatre
Reviewed on 6th May 2025
by Beatrice Morandi
Photography by Jane Hobson
Previously reviewed at this venue:
WHITE ROSE | ★★ | March 2025
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANNE FRANK | ★★★★ | October 2024
THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR | ★★★★ | May 2024
THE DREAM OF A RIDICULOUS MAN | ★★★★ | March 2024
A SHERLOCK CAROL | ★★★★ | November 2023
THE DRY HOUSE | ★★½ | April 2023
