What is the power of a single word when it comes to faith and family? Faygele, a story of adolescent survival, gets its world premiere at London’s Marylebone Theatre.
Fay-ge-le/feigala/noun. (Origin – Yiddish)
(derogatory) Slang for faggot
Some words bind us. Some words set us free.
At 13, Ari Freed’s world is upended in an instant when, at his Bar Mitzvah celebration, his father strikes him down with a single word: Faygele. The sting fractures his already delicate sense of self, forcing him into a battle he never asked for.
Faygele is a story of survival in the space between faith and identity, love and duty, past and future – unraveling the complexities of Ari’s adolescence and the relationships that shape him.
Ilan Galkoff (Backstairs Billy), Ben Caplan (A Sherlock Carol), Clara Francis (Leopoldstad), Andrew Paul (The Bill) and Yiftach Mizrahi (Band of Spies) star in the world premiere of Faygele , written by Shimmy Braun.
Director Hannah Chissick commented:
”I am delighted to be directing Faygele. Coming from a Jewish background myself, it is especially thrilling to be bringing this world premiere, from the unique voice of Shimmy Braun, to the stage. Whilst rooted firmly in the Orthodox Jewish community, the play is ultimately about self-acceptance. And, whilst it has a queer character at its centre, it will also resonate with anyone who has found themselves at odds with their upbringing or marginalised within their own community.”
Following the 90-minute performance at 7.30pm on Monday 12 May 2025, I’ll chair a discussion with the Faygele company about the play, its themes and cultural significance.
(NB: Age recommendation 14+.)