The Wanderers

Marylebone Theatre

Sombre and breathtaking. This is a piece of theatre and imaginative visuals that deserve a bigger audience. An unexpected treat.

Well, what a sublime piece of theatre this play is. It's a hidden gem of London theatre that you must not miss out on. It tells the story of two couples from different generations, one an arranged Jewish married couple who are traditional, Orthodox, from the Hasidic community in Brooklyn. The other couple are a pair of writers, and the husband has a Jewish background. As the show goes on, you see how the four characters are connected. It shows how society modernising and moving to America can change an individual's views of the world. How can it change your view of religion, and how the traditional couple's priorities/way of following their religion alter with the world around them. It's a well-written and moving story by Anna Ziegler, directed in a way that effectively highlights the separation between the characters, directed by Igor Golyak. How the show looks almost feels illustrated.

All of the characters in the show are on a journey of understanding their identity and outside of their relationships. 'Abe' is the character who has the main focus of the show and carries the story. Alexander Forsyth plays him. He clearly shows how 'Abe' is led and carried away by his fascinations. His character feels like he is wandering through life. His relationship with Paksie Vernon on stage is fragmented and distant. Vernon plays his wife, 'Sophie', and as they have known each other their whole lives, the characters question whether they truly love each other and know themselves. Katerina Tannenbaum's performance as 'Esther' is emotionally driven and divine. She clearly displays how her character questions why she has to follow rules so closely to show she is following her religion. Her character longs to be a bit more free-spirited and is pulled back by her family. The relationship between her and Eddie Toll, who plays her husband 'Schmuli', displays their naivety and how they know so little about each other. The emotion in this piece clutches the audience's concentration and takes them on an expedition into the minds of the characters, and how losing a grasp of your identity can change your relationship.

If the name does not make it clear enough, it becomes apparent that the show is all about the characters going through a mental journey of finding themselves right from the start. Visuals designed by Jan Pappellbaum enhance this thoughtful journey of the characters. The stage has a transparent screen, and the characters draw on the screen to give an insight into their thought process and also illustrate elements to help create the environment of the scene. A personal favourite is when Alexander Forsyth, as 'Abe', recites a memory from his childhood and draws a car and buildings. This creates a child-like atmosphere and takes you into his mind. The set is minimal, but the drawing is simple and works well in changing the setting.

It is the play of the winter, and there's also snow. If you are after a bit of thought-provoking theatre and emotion, then this is for you. It's a fantastically written play, and the visuals are truly beautiful. Marylebone Theatre is a great setting for the show. Don't miss out on this hidden theatre gem!