Belfast's award-winning Kabosh Theatre Company transposes its remarkable site-specific production of "This Is What They Sang" to New York as part of the 1st Irish Festival, New York's only all-Irish theatre festival. Directed by Paula McFetridge, and written by Gavin Kostick, "This Is What We Sang" runs from September 19 to September 29 at the Synagogue for the Arts, 49 White Street, in Tribeca. Featuring a cast of five, "This Is What We Sang" tells a story linking five generations of a Jewish family from Belfast. Set on Yom Kippur, the play was originally performed at the Belfast Synagogue, where it premiered in September of last year, around the time of the Yom Kippur holiday. The play's New York premiere also coincides with the holiday.
In "This Is What We Sang," a story of love and atonement, five family members from across the globe, and across the centuries, seek absolution for their past. As they relate the tale of their lives, their secrets and sins, they tell the story of Belfast, the city they made home. Belfast's Jewish community, which dates back to the 1850's when a first small wave of Jews from Germany began to settle there. At its peak in 1964, when the Belfast Synagogue on Somerton Road opened its doors, the community numbered over 1600 in 1964. It now numbers under 100. Kabosh commissions playwrights to respond to local histories, stories and heritage, for performance in complimentary locations. While in New York, and also as part of 1st Irish, Kabosh hosts a special panel discussion at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on Tuesday September 28 at 6pm. "This Is What We Sang" plays 9 times at Synagogue for the Arts, 49 White Street, from September 19 through September 29, on the following dates: Sunday to Tuesday September 19, 20, 21 at 8pm; Saturday September 25 at 8pm; Sunday September 26 at 3pm & 8pm; Monday & Tuesday September 27 & 28 at 8pm, and Wednesday September 29 at 3pm. Tickets, which are $30 ($20 for students) are available via SmartTix, by phone at (212) 868-4444, or online at www.smarttix.com. For more information visit www.1stirish.org
