Theatre
Edinburgh review: Rachel Creeger, Hinayni
Jane Prinsley enjoys a set by the UK's only Orthodox Jewish woman comedian
August 21, 2019 15:48
Jane Prinsley enjoys a set by the UK's only Orthodox Jewish woman comedian
August 21, 2019 15:48Behold, here is Rachel Creeger in her new heartfelt Fringe show about introductions, perception, religion, love and living life to its fullest.
Creeger is obsessed with introductions; she’s fed up of being introduced badly so she gets an audience member to welcome her onto the stage. What follows is an hour-long introduction, in which Creeger sets the record straight about her childhood, religion, marriage, health and her comedy carer.
Creeger’s stories about her time as a bullied, skiving school girl at a religious school get the show rolling. Girls had to apply through a meanness test and live in the right bitchment area before they were accepted. They would taunt her mercilessly, forcing her to eat treif, which Creeger didn’t seem to mind, so long as she was the centre of attention.
In this show, she captures the room with her touching stories, accessible and intelligent humour and loving Jewish mother personality that left the whole room smiling.She is proudly Jewish but makes a point of being apolitical. Don’t ask her about Jeremy Corbyn and she has no opinion on Israel-Palestine that she’s going to share.
While this refusal to engage with current affairs could be frustrating, Creeger is a welcome antidote to the vitriol surrounding Jewish culture because of her refusal to be political. She is the only Orthodox Jewish woman on the British comedy scene and her simple stories about Jewish life resonated with her Jewish audience. Crucially, however, her set will shed light on our culture for those who know more about antisemitism in British politics than they do about batmitzvahs and challah.
She metaphorically embraces the audience with her warm humour and the kind of confident storytelling that belongs solely to Jewish women. Audience members nod in agreement and crease with laughter, as she moves eloquently from personal stories of trauma and hardship to funny quips about Tesco’s.
Creeger wants to be the centre of attention which makes sense as our religion has a star as its symbol. Her aptly titled show, Hinayni - 'Here I am' - lives up to the name; Creeger is here and a star to behold.
Hinayni is on until the 26th of August at 12.10pm