"Sacred is our duty": London’s New Yiddish Theatre, 1944-49

In the midst of the Second World War, a new Yiddish theatre company emerged in London with the vision of “bettering” the theatrical offering in the city and serving as a hub for Yiddish culture, in not only in London but Europe. This talk will explore the history and legacy of London’s New Yiddish Theatre Company. It will introduce their artistic, social and moral mission alongside the ways this manifested in their everyday existence and performances, drawing on examples of plays produced by the Company. It will argue that the Company did indeed make significant contributions to the landscape of London’s Yiddish theatre, but ultimately did not manage to galvanise the long-term support necessary to sustain their own longevity as an art theatre in London. Additionally, this paper will explore the long- and short-term factors that led to the company’s sudden demise in 1949.

We welcome Katie Power for our next event which will take place on Zoom only via the JHSE website at JHSE.org. Katie is a postgraduate researcher at the Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish/non-Jewish Relations, University of Southampton. Her doctoral research focuses on the history of London’s New Yiddish Theatre Company and the broader context of Yiddish theatre in London during and after the Second World War. Her talk is free to JHSE members and students. There is a charge of £5 for non-members.

We very much look forward to welcoming you on Zoom to this event.