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Part of a double-bill, Pickle brings to life a young Jewish woman torn between tradition and modern London life. Full of cheek, joy and jokes - a one-woman show with chutzpah. Summary
Rating
Excellent
Why see one show when you can do a double bill? That’s the offer with Park Theatre’s Make Mine A Double. So having already seen Anything With A Pulse, it’s a short interval and then back to the second half of the night’s entertainment for Pickle.
Pickle is a one-person show about a young Jewish woman, Ari, written and performed by Deli Segal. Ari is in her late twenties and still lives with her traditionally Jewish parents. Outside of her home she lives a more secular lifestyle, going to work and encountering a non-Jewish world. We spend an hour with her, hearing about her life torn between tradition, cultural expectations and being a young female in London.
From start to finish it’s a party and very funny, with a dark humour that felt just the right side of naughty to get away with. At times references went over my head a little, possibly because of my limited exposure to Jewish people and culture (having grown up in an un-diverse town and where I had a pseudo-Catholic upbringing). Segal also introduces an often unfamiliar Jewish vocabulary, but a helpful glossary of terms is provided if you’re unhelpfully goyish like me.
There is certainly no need for a big selection of props, an extravagant set, or even other people to bring the show to life. Segal brings a real star quality to the play that makes the audience feel welcome and invited into her stories. She is, however, cleverly aided by some creative but effective lighting from Laurel Marks and a vibrant set piece by Andrew Brock.
Pickle is rich in feeling, humour and vitality, bringing a love for culture and life that is humbling to watch. Segal expertly captures the awkwardness of finding love and happiness while being your authentic self.
Written by: Deli Segal
Directed by: Kayla Feldman
Produced by: Tanya Truman
Set Design by: Andy Brock
Sound Design by: Emily Rose Simons
Movement Direction by: Laura Wohlwend
Assistant Director: Josephine Frankel
Lighting Design by: Laurel Marks
Pickle plays at Park Theatre until 26 November as part of their Make Mine A Double season. The show plays in tandem with Anything With A Pulse (review here). Tickets can be purchased separately or as a discounted bundle. Further information and bookings can be found here.
You can listen to our podcast chat with Delia Segal and Tanya Truman about this show here. This was recorded at the start of 2022 when the show was scheduled to be part of Vault Festival before the festival was cancelled.
