The Holy Rosenbergs

Synopsis

As big-hearted patriarch David clings to a deal that could save both his ailing catering firm and his cherished standing in the Edgware Jewish community, his children are at loggerheads. You must’ve heard him banging on about the long line of Rosenbergs, stretching back to the Bible. He reckons some ancient relative catered the Last Supper. While eldest son Danny fights for the Israelis in Gaza, his sister investigates war crimes in that same conflict. Their brother drinks and brawls and refuses to join their father’s business. But when tragedy strikes, each family member is forced to confront head-on the clash between individual identity and the demands and expectations of community. What would make a personality like Danny’s fly Apache helicopter gun-ships over Gaza? Why would he put himself in that position? Ryan Craig’s play explores tribal loyalties, the culpability of family and the consequences of standing up for what you believe to be right.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 17 March 2011

Ryan Craig’s new play The Holy Rosenbergs is a well organised, well written study of passions and beliefs in a North London Jewish family that doesn’t quite break the confines of its own construction; I was moved, but not very much.

It’s the eve of Danny’s funeral in Edgware. He died in action with the Israeli army in Gaza, flying low over civilian targets in search of snipers. His sister Ruth is a lawyer reporting on this campaign to a war crimes investigation in Geneva.

The rabbi (Philip Arditti) comes round to say there’s going to be a protest and to suggest that Ruth (Susannah Wise) should keep her head down by sitting shivah indoors.

Meanwhile, Henry Goodman’s flustered David, is worrying about his catering firm and his other son Jonny’s (Alex Waldmann) reluctance to come aboard; Jonny’s starting a gambling website and taking aesthetic exception to the new pillars at the fro...

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Latest User Review

rds - 26 June 2011:

I enjoyed the political slant of the play, even though, as Garth James says, it does veer into soap opera at times. But what I found so interesting was the way the play showed up the blind faith many British Jews have towards the state of Israel. I cannot see this playing in New York unless it was very off Off-Broadway. Pity as I feel the message needs to be digested by them and in particular because they have the biggest clout and influence on the way Israel handles itself towards its neighbours....

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