The Arc: A Trilogy of New Jewish Plays, Soho Theatre Dean Street Review

★ ★ ★ ★

Reviewer - Bronagh

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

The Arc consist of three short plays – Birth, Marriage and Death. Each one raises their own questions and deep thoughts, keeping the audience hooked throughout.

The Soho Theatre is a perfect space for The Arc, with the setting transforming from a warm family home to a restaurant to a kitchen. Conversations surrounding Jewish culture, history and politics are had, with all three plays veering between funny, awkward and poignant.

We begin with birth, where obstetrician Michael (Nigel Planer) and his wife Lynda (Caroline Gruber) receive an unexpected visit from Naomi (Dorothea Myer-Bennett). Naomi was delivered by Michael fifty years earlier, apparently early so that he could go on holiday. The audience, as well as Michael and Lynda, aren’t sure what Naomi wants… does she want to sue Michael or does she really just want to know if he had a nice holiday? Naomi claims she doesn’t feel ‘done’ which she is linking to her premature birth; the question is, is that really the responsibility of somebody else?

Marriage follows a first date between Adrian (Sam Thorpe-Spinks) and Eva (Abigail Weinstock), deliciously awkward in parts and likely to jog the memory of anybody who has used a dating app. Coincidentally, God is sitting on the table just next to them, where he tells the pair that their destiny is to continue the Jewish bloodline. But is it the responsibility of non-practicing Jews to do this and feel the pressure?

Death brings The Arc to a close, and demonstrates how centuries old traditions can bring a family together after many life events – in this case, following the death of a hamster. Dysfunction and death intertwine with Jewish traditions, nicely bringing The Arc to an end

Clearly the aim here is to bring Jewish stories to the stage. However, due to how short Birth, Marriage and Death there is a struggle. Although ambitious, the length means we don’t get a real deep dive and exploration into the stories. The threads linking the three plays together just don’t get the opportunity to develop. I really did leave wanting more!

Overall I did enjoy The Arc, and truly found it enjoyable. My only gripe is that the plays are too short, missing out on the potential of really exploring the stories at hand.

At Soho Theatre Dean Street until 26 August.

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