REVIEW: Faygele Shimmy Braun at Marylebone Theatre until 31 May 2025

‘Faygele offers sharp insights … but the “lecture-like” quality detracts from the emotional impact.’ ★★★

Faygele tells the story of Ari, a gay teenager born into an Orthodox Jewish family. Confronted with a tradition that rejects his very identity, Ari’s journey becomes one of painful struggle and inevitable loss. It's a story of identity, resistance, and the deep human need for acceptance.

Ari’s experience is marked by both missteps—like his misguided attempt to kiss Sammy—and circumstances entirely beyond his control. His family sees him as a failure, and his quiet act of rebellion—cutting his hair—is one of the few ways he can assert himself. The story is rooted in real-life experiences, but the execution sometimes falls short.

The production leans heavily on exposition. Scenes often begin with clear cues about where they are headed, leaving little dramatic tension. Some characters serve more as mouthpieces for advocacy than as fully fleshed individuals, delivering messages rather than engaging in organic dialogue. This “lecture-like” quality detracts from the emotional impact and makes the play feel more like a staged argument than a lived experience.

Still, Faygele offers sharp insights. One particularly striking point is its exploration of the way society sexualises gay identities. The play challenges the assumption that intimacy between two men is always read as sexual, in contrast to how heterosexual closeness is perceived—an observation that feels relevant and necessary.

Despite its powerful subject matter, the production plays things relatively safe. The performances are grounded and sincere, but there’s a sense that the material wasn’t pushed to its full potential. The writing feels predetermined, and the neatly constructed scenes leave little room for surprise.

Faygele is a heartfelt piece that raises important issues but doesn't quite break new ground. It's a sad and turbulent story told with care—but also with caution.

Photography: Jane Hobson

World Premiere

FAYGELE by Shimmy Braun

Director Hannah Chissick

Marylebone Theatre

Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT

Box office: 02077237984

boxoffice@marylebonetheatre.com

Performances:

Monday - Saturday at 7:30pm

Thursday & Saturday at 2:30pm

Wednesday 30 April - Saturday 31 May

Tickets from £25

£2.25 Booking Fee on all tickets

Running time:

90mins

Age recommendation 14+

Content warning: Themes suicide and death

Social media

Instagram - @faygeleplay

Facebook - Faygele Play https://www.facebook.com/FaygelePlay

Website - faygeleplay.com