Simon Ward reviews Bubble Schmeisis at the Soho Theatre

Nick Cassenbaum describes his work as ‘simultaneously unforgivingly Jewish and undeniably British’. As if to underline the point, the programme for this show includes a glossary of both Yiddish and East London slang. Admittedly the Yiddish list is significantly longer – this is a deeply personal journey in search of a sense of belonging. It is also extremely funny. It manages the delicate balancing act of using recognisable stereotypes while avoiding the trap of falling into cliché. We really believe that this is his story, as he tries to navigate what his Jewishness means to him. He knows he is different but he is not sure what that would, or should, mean. Does he have to be a Tottenham fan? Or should he even move to Israel?

The title itself is a play on words – bubbemeises is a Yiddish word for a tall tale, as might have been told by a grandmother. Schmeiss is a word to describe the vigorous washing process in a Jewish shvitz or bath house. So this is a bath house tale – structured around the hour-long journey on the North Circular from Papa Alan’s in Edgware to the last decent shvitz in London, which happens to be in Canning Town. And it is the touching story of how Cassenbaum came to find an aspect of his Jewish heritage where he does feel at home. This, in spite of the weirdness of being naked in front of a bunch old men, including his own grandfather. And the further weirdness of having to take his turn at schmeissing. As his grandfather vouches for him, he is welcomed and acknowledged by the men as having a right to be there, in a way that he hasn’t been during other rites of passage designed to cement his Jewishness.

Written and performed by Nick Cassenbaum, and directed by Danny Braverman, this is a very much a labour of love. The performance is brilliantly aided by the musical accompaniment of Daniel Gouly on clarinet and Josh Middleton on accordion – they provide hilariously apposite sound effects to the action as well as scene-setting music. The world Cassenbaum conjures up feels utterly authentic. He acknowledges the absurdities but relishes them at the same time. He is an utterly engaging host and a compelling storyteller. He touches lightly on anti-semitism but tackles it head on with ridicule – a reductio ad absurdum which works because it is so funny. The show first debuted almost exactly 10 years ago, and has since played all over the world. Like the schmeiss itself, it is impossible to resist – it won’t even allow you to resist. For one thing, you will think twice about what to call those bits of bread with holes in them from now on. With only a few days left before the show is put to bed forever, grab a ticket now while you still can,

Bubble Schmeisis is running at the Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE until Saturday 10th May.