28 Jun Never Say Never: Reflections on the first Rehearsed Reading of Chains, April 26th 2026, at Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre
I always have to have some mental time-out after any sort of production. A sense of needing some caution against simply reacting. Well, to be honest there is such a plethora of things that I could have reacted to: The emotion of seeing my words interpreted by a skilled director and knock out cast; the crazy, crazy journey of getting the piece ready in a weekend; production details and how they played out; the absolute madness of ‘teching’ the show at ten past seven when the house was due to open at half past; audience size, audience reaction and feedback; the unexpected reality of being completely mobbed at the end by (largely enthusiastic, it must be said) audience members; what united us; what that divided us.
Nick Delvallé
Operational and the procedural matters aside, what has been occupying my thoughts has centred upon aspects that I felt really did divide the audience. Firstly, Rabbi Yossi played by the brilliant Nick Delvallé.
Firstly and somewhat superficially I suppose, let’s deal with the comments that he is way too good looking to be a Rabbi. Why? Do we suppose that all religious, Jewish clergy are required to be less than aesthetically pleasing to discharge their duties competently? What nonsense! Nonsense, but the reality as seen, maybe. But why did it come up….? Why were certain audience members disturbed by it? I am wondering whether it links with what also came up at the after-show Q&A and indeed in subsequent emails that I received.
There are incidences in the play where Rav Yossi attempts to, or actually does touch Dina (excellently played by Natasha Karp) during their interactions over managing her ‘Get’ (Jewish Divorce) refusal case.
Certain audience members were very uncomfortable with this. Yossi forgets himself and initially, it is a kindly gesture of sympathy at her plight but later becomes a manifestation of something altogether more revealing. As the play progresses doubts creep in about the structure that he is expected to uphold, and he is confused…. conflicted because he is developing feelings for this woman. “It would never happen”, they cried. A Rabbi touching a woman who was not his wife, (if he even has one, which Yossi doesn’t in the play). I would have to say that it most certainly does happen.
You don’t have to search for very long on the web to find incidences or indiscretions of this nature. These have of course escalated into abject scandal which is why they got as far as the media reports. But I did not intend to write about the type of scandal that sends shock waves through communities. Yossi is simply falling in love. It is a time of great personal vulnerability owing to his inner turmoil over the obligation to support an ancient and misogynistic religious practice. ‘It would never happen”…is also a naive position to take, not only because it could and does happen but because Chains is a drama, not a documentary.
Natasha Karp
Never say never. I have also realised something else. (Funny how you know you write with your subconscious operating, but it may not reveal itself until later reflections rise to the surface). Is the discomfiture arising in certain audience members due to the fact that it is the religious man of faith making that ‘first move’…which incidentally is rebuffed by Dina.
He forgets himself and puts his hand on hers across the table
Dina: You’re not allowed to touch me…you’re a Frummer
He removes his hand but not that quickly.
Rabbi: Sorry
Josh Beckman
Would it have been easier to watch if she had hit on him first? Played the temptress? (Note: there is no male equivalent of that word…). By comparison, is his behaviour more easily accepted when he appears as his non-rabbinical alter ego, Joe? Food for thought.
Moving on, Josh Beckman (outstanding as Lewis) probably had the most complex role to pitch right as the abusive ‘Get’ refuser.
Some audience members wanted to know more about the background to the character and indeed, how and why Lewis and Dina’s marriage had descended into a contract of abuser and victim. Surely they must have been ok at the beginning otherwise she wouldn’t have married him? Clearly the mask was slipping long before we meet them in Act 1, Scene 1. I have lots of work to do on Lewis script-wise, ably assisted by insights from both Josh himself and Amanda Noar (Director) via our recent conversations about my re-write. I am thinking in particular not only about Lewis’s evil but also about his moments of vulnerability. I need to try and get both across without in any way excusing his actions. He is a damaged person.
So this is where I’m at. Look out for my future musings on the other characters… Meanwhile, psyching myself up for the battles to get a full run for another play. Here we go again.
