Interview: Nick Cassenbaum, ‘REVENGE After The Levoyah’

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with Nick Cassenbaum about REVENGE: After The Levoah.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far.

I am a writer and performer. Starting my career as a street performer I decided to come indoors with my first show Bubble Schmeisis in 2015 about the Jewish steam baths of East London. This show has been touring ever since. I have been commissioned by the Royal Court and Soho Theatre. Last year I wrote the world’s first professional Jewish Pantomime. Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Pig and I am currently writing the second Goldie Frocks and the Bear Mitzvah. Both are for JW3. 

What is your show about?

Twins Dan and Lauren meet ex-east end gangster Malcolm Spivak at their grandad, Lenny’s funeral. Malcolm, who's 'had enough', enlists the siblings in a ragtag Yiddishe plot to kidnap then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

REVENGE: After the Levoyah examines antisemitism in the diaspora, the dangers of collective hysteria, and how far one nonagenarian can throw a jar of chraine from a moving vehicle.

What was the inspiration for REVENGE: After The Levoyah and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

Being Jewish in London has been a real trip since 2015. This play was my way of exploring the political and social ramifications of that experience. Set in 2019 up to this time it felt like we were in the papers each and every day for whatever reason. People were talking for Jews, about Jews and it felt like the media would only go to one sort of Jewish person for comment. This piece comes from me thinking…what happens…what happens if this community. My community is pushed to absolute breaking point. And here we are! We have had a few scratch performances at theatres around London and last year decided to finish it and get it ready for the fringe. 

What made you want to take your show to the Fringe?

It felt like the year to do it. With an election, Jewish people are still in the press. Communities being pulled apart. We thought it was time to bring something that will make people laugh, question and give a broader understanding of what it means to be Jewish in the UK. 

Apart from seeing REVENGE: After The Levoyah, what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

Go to Portobello Turkish baths, get some fish and chips, and ice cream and walk down the beach.

Why should people book to see the show?

Because it is funny, slapstick, and madcap. You will probably hold your breath for an hour. But most of all, you won’t have seen anything like it. Promise 

When and where can people see your show?

You can catch us at Summerhall, at the Anatomy Lecture Theatre at 3pm. Whole of August not the 12th or 19th