Edinburgh hit Ballad of the Burning Star headed for The Lowry

Following success at Edinburgh Fringe 2013, Theatre Ad Infinitum brings its new award-winning musical play Ballad of the Burning Star to The Lowry later this month.

It tells the story of one Jewish boy’s struggle to come to terms with the conflict raging in his homeland. The show follows the acclaimed Translunar Paradise, which began life at The Lowry Studio as a part of The Lowry's Developed With program in 2011. Now Associate Artists, Theatre Ad Infinitum have moved from The Studio to The Quays Theatre.

Co-Artistic Director, Israeli-born Nir Paldi, is writer, director and co-performer, and the production is inspired by his own experiences growing up in Israel.

Paldi stars in the show as its MC, the high-heeled and hairy-chested drag-queen 'Star', supported by a glittering troupe: her secret weapon, The Starlets. Together, under a shining Star of David mirror ball, they examine an Israeli man’s childhood in a Jewish settlement built on occupied Palestinian territory, the perpetual war that tore his family apart, and the traumatic events of his military service that made him ask: “Am I a victim or a persecutor?”

“I wanted to explore the identity crisis facing my homeland, Israel," says Paldi. “It was a big risk for me, highlighting and publicly airing the bare facts of the conflicts and contradictions of today’s Israel. This is a dark subject matter, but we have approached it playfully. Elements of cabaret, sanguine humour, and drag act as a colourful counter-balance to the tragic elements of our story. And it’s worked; Ballad provoked passionate debate and reactions – from anger and sadness to excitement and astonishment – at Edinburgh. We’re now really looking forward to coming to the Lowry again. We can't wait to find out what new audiences will make of it..!"

The Ballad of the Burning Star is at the Lowry from 11 – 12 February.