Since 1999

Trusted News & Reviews

25

years

best of british theatre

Official
tickets

Pick
your seats

Since 1999

25 years

Official tickets

Pick seats

REVIEW: Sholom Aleichem In The Old Country, Lion and Unicorn Pub Theatre ✭

Published on

November 6, 2018

By

julianeaves

Julian Eaves reviews Sholom Aleichem In The Old Country at the Lion and Unicorn Pub Theatre.

Sholom Aleichem In The Old Country

Lion and Unicorn Pub Theatre

3rd November 2018

1 Star

Book Tickets

One-man shows are in plentiful supply in London's theatreland, not least on the fringe, and whether actor Saul Reichlin and his director Victor Sobchak are aware of this or not, standards are high and, as a consequence, so are expectations.  If you are going to go out there and take up the attention of an audience you had better be prepared with something worth their while.  Sadly, this 75-minute chat from the writer of the stories upon which the musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' was based never convinced me that they really knew what they were about, or even that they much cared about the impact they were making on the audience.

The minimal design (uncredited) and lighting (also uncredited) that waxed and waned like an impulsive and erratic moon did them no favours, but the real absence here was any sense that they had a 'theatrical' story to tell.  Anyone sitting through this long and monotonous recitation will find it hard, not to say utterly impossible, to divine how and why Bock and Harnick managed to turn these wafer-thin slices of shtetl life into the blockbuster musical of the 60's that still exerts such compelling fascination.

Nonetheless, the show has - we are told - won awards here and there, and run for umpteen performances around the world, including Off-Broadway.  I cannot imagine why.  Perhaps Mr Reichlin has had more energy and stage presence in the past.  Who knows?  He doesn't demonstrate any in this production.  One to avoid, I think; a message that the many empty seats around me suggested has already reached the ears of those who care about such things.

Until 25 November

SHOLOM ALEICHEM IN THE OLD COUNTRY TICKETS

 

The BritishTheatre.com website was created to celebrate the rich and diverse theatrical culture of the United Kingdom. Our mission is to provide the latest UK theatre news, West End reviews, and insights into both regional theatre and London theatre tickets, ensuring enthusiasts can stay up to date with everything from the biggest West End musicals to cutting-edge fringe theatre. We are passionate about encouraging and nurturing the performing arts in all their forms.

The spirit of theatre is alive and thriving, and BritishTheatre.com is at the forefront of delivering timely, authoritative news and information to theatre lovers. Our dedicated team of theatre journalists and critics works tirelessly to cover every production and event, making it easy for you to access the latest reviews and book London theatre tickets for must-see shows.