Nick Cassenbaum

Nick is a theatre-maker, playwright, performer and participatory artist whose work has toured internationally, selling out in venues around the world. He has written plays, created and performed solo work and made street performances in collaboration with some of the country's most celebrated venues, including The Royal Court, Soho Theatre and Battersea Arts Centre. Nick has presented podcasts for The Guardian and has an MA from Goldsmiths in Writing for Performance. He is also a graduate of the Royal Court Young Writers Programme and co-artistic director of take stock exchange. Nick is well known for his hit solo show Bubble Schmeisis.

His Fringe First & Lustrum Award Winner 2024, Popcorn Award shortlisted 2024 show and Fringe sell-out 2024 show REVENGE: After the Levoyah is touring to 13 venues across the South East; in locations from Chipping Norton to Chelmsford, Farnham to Norwich, and Shoreham by Sea to and North London and more.

REVENGE: After the Levoyah tears through antisemitism in the diaspora, the dangers of collective hysteria, and how far you can throw a jar of chraine from a moving vehicle.

Littered with five star reviews, the biting political satire sees two performers take on up to 50 different characters; from Jewish twins Dan and Lauren to an octogenarian hit squad, a Dr Marten's wearing Rabbi, to Moishe a 94 year old Holocaust Survivor, and Nana who doesn't want to leave the house, not even for a walk down the High Street…

Image: (back left) Producer Becky Plotnek, (front left) Actor Charlie Cassen, (back middle), Playwright Nick Cassenbaum, (front right) Actor Gemma Barnett, (back right) Director Emma Jude Harris.

Nick tells us more about the show and what audiences can expect:

REVENGE: After the Levoyah has been described by The Stage as being like a ‘two person Guy Ritchie film’. Can you tell us a bit more about the style of the show?

The show is fast paced, action packed and full of edgy well drawn characters. The show has the two main characters telling the story of what is going on which makes it feel filmic and self-referential. Especially as it gets more and more out of hand. It is funny….really funny…..if I say so myself. I recon there is at least a gag every 30 seconds. This show does not let the audience sit back and relax. You’ll be breathless.

One of the things that has struck us most, is how deeply passionate the cast and creative team are about the show. What do you think it is that resonates most deeply with them?

I think the show does two things that the team loves. One is it paints a world that isn’t seen in theatres or in media full stop. That of Jewish Essex and its inhabitants. This challenges the mainstream narrative of what a Jewish person is. I think the other thing it does that resonates with the team is that is deals with really knotty hard political themes in a way that is fun and silly. Oh! And also allows them to cast as characters they would never get to play otherwise.

Who do you think the show will appeal to?

I think this show will appeal to people who love theatre, people that love film. People who have never been to a theatre before. People who are Jewish, people who aren't. People who love comedy and want a good night out. People that are interested in politics and the world around them…and people who just like pickle cucumbers.

The play sees two actors perform over 40 characters, from Jewish twins Dan and Lauren, to an octogenarian hit squad, a Dr Marten's wearing Rabbi to Moishe a 94 year old Holocaust Survivor, and Nana who doesn't want to leave the house, not even for a walk down the High Street. Are any of the characters based on people you know, and who is your favourite?

What a hard question! I love them all. Truly love them all. They are all based on people I know and have met over the years. I think that’s what people love about the show is they can feel the affection I have for the characters. I think I have a different favourite each time I watch it and depending on my mood. Sometimes I love the tragedy of the nana, sometimes the joy of Moishe and his tuna sandwich and sometimes the sinister plumber. I love them all.

What’s the one thing that you’d like audiences to take away from seeing the show?

A play text which they can purchase at the theatre. BUT also I want people to takeaway the knottiness of what it means to be living right now. How we are in a time of polarisation and disagreement and although that is hard…maybe we can laugh at it?

Image: Actors Gemma Barnett and Charlie Cassen