Saddle up and strap in – Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story is a whirlwind ride you don’t want to miss.
Incredibly funny and deeply moving, Old Stock tells the incredible true stories of Jewish refugees Chaim and Chaya, who met in Canada in 1908 after fleeing horrific violence and oppression in Romania.
It’s a quirky one-act musical written by award-winning playwright Hannah Moscovitch, based on the story of her own Jewish great-grandparents – a tale of love in spite of unthinkable horrors and hardships. Moving scenes between actors (who also play various instruments) are interwoven with songs both upbeat and melancholy. Tenderly funny moments give way to poignantly sad ones, expertly navigated by director Christian Barry. Fantastic klezmer music plays throughout, driving the emotion and the story forward.
The enduringly charismatic Ben Caplan is our frontman and narrator, wrapping us around his little finger from his very first appearance. His energy is enthralling, his comic timing is on point and his incredible voice will slither its way into your soul and stay there. Caplan sings with such passion, making light use of songs that range from tongue-in-cheek interpretations of the Bible to a beautifully melancholic lullaby. His humour is characteristically, perfectly Jewish – endearingly matter-of-fact and unapologetic.
Although it is rooted in the past, it’s an important story for modern day audiences. It highlights the plight of those seeking new horizons, when their old ones are gone or too painful to return to. But it also lovingly shines a light on relationships and love, triumph and trauma, the spirit of endurance and the importance of family – all universal themes no matter where we’re from or what we’ve been through.
Alana Kaye – Theatre Now
Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story
A dark, funny and high-energy klezmer-folk tale inspired by the real-life story of two Romanian Jews seeking refuge in Canada in 1908.
12 – 20 January 2019
Tue – Sat 7:30pm
Sun 5pm
Sat Matinee 2pm
Venue: Belvoir Upstairs
Theatre Company: 2B Theatre Company
Duration: 80 minutes no interval
It’s early 20th century Halifax and Chaim and Chaya, hounded from home, are waiting for immigration to decide their future, under threat of tuberculosis and typhus. Will they survive in this new land?
With neo-klezmer songs written by director Christian Barry and acclaimed genre-bending performer and musician Ben Caplan (Sydney Festival 2014), this quirky one-act musical is written by award-winning playwright Hannah Moscovitch, who based it on the story of her own Jewish great-grandparents.
This bewitching music-theatre hybrid and cautionary tale for modern times – performed with instruments ranging from fiddle to clarinet, accordion, banjo and megaphone – was nominated for six Drama Desk Awards, won multiple Edinburgh Fringe awards and was a New York Times Critic’s Pick.
Book your ticket for Wed 16 January at 7.30pm to take part in a Sydney Morning Herald Q&A With the Artists after the performance.
A great show is best accompanied with a fantastic feast. Combine your show ticket with a Festival Feasts dining package with Zahli or Toko Sydney for $55 + $1 booking fee.
Images: Stoo Metz Photography, Fadi Acra
Ticket Prices
Tue–Thu
A Reserve $60 / $54
Under 30 $39
+ booking fee
Fri-Sun
A Reserve $66 / $59
+ booking fee
