Writing Comedy We Can Be Invested In

When I’m writing something new, I like to break down traditional structures and find new ways to tell my story. In my latest play, The Play with Speeches, a series of actors file into the theatre to audition. The play they’re being seen for (‘The Play with Speeches’) consists entirely of – wait for it – audition speeches. And those speeches tell a complete story when performed in the correct order.

You’ve probably already gathered that this is a comedy, and one with more than a hint of meta-reality. The audience unwittingly becomes a part of the story, as it turns out they’re only there because the box office mistakenly sold tickets for the event. Anthony and Penny, who jointly conduct the auditions, are horrified when they first see the audience. Anthony offers an apology, whilst firmly encouraging them to remain in their seats. He’s realised by this time that they all paid for their tickets!

Somewhat surprisingly for this very theatrical concept, I first wrote this idea as a short story for an anthology published during the pandemic. A Tale of Twelve Speeches appears to be a collection of ‘real’ audition speeches put together by a disaffected playwright during lockdown (nothing autobiographical, I promise). There are accompanying footnotes that give far too much away about the playwright’s personal life. I had such fun writing the speeches, many of which parody theatre styles we’re all perhaps familiar with, such as the overly poetic.

james woolf

When it came to adapting my story for the stage, the groundwork was there, as I’d already written the speeches. All I needed to worry about was the interplay between Anthony (the writer of the play) and Penny (its director), and between them and the actors who are unfortunate enough to audition. Straight off, I decided to make Anthony and Penny a warring ex-couple – the details of their toxic relationship, as Anthony remarks, are ‘thoroughly ventilated’ during the course of the evening. Building their antagonism, or perhaps their comfort levels in sharing every sordid detail with the audience, provided a natural raising of the stakes - an essential component in any drama.

For me, whether I’m writing short stories or plays, the comedy is derived both from the conflict within the situation and the emotional investment of the characters in their own predicament. It won’t work if the characters don’t care one way or another what happens to them. And it’s not enough for us, as audience members or readers, to simply laugh at these characters either. We need to feel their pain at some level, in order to connect. Which makes me wonder whether this is what makes us, as Jews, so good at comedy. We have centuries of pain to mine and have learned a good deal of empathy along the way, too.

James Woolf’s play ‘The Play with Speeches’ is playing at The Jack Studio Theatre in Brockley until 4 March.

q & a with natasha kafka , senior teacher at ivriah & musician at fps I sat down with Natasha to learn (even) more about one half of the fantastic duo to whom I’m temporarily handing over Ivriah, before a fantastic new person takes the role on permanently.

With a degree from Mountview Academy of Dramatic Arts, a lifetime of shul attendance, and an enthusiasm for learning, Natasha is the perfect cheder (head) teacher.

Here are the answers to some of my burning questions: introducing new assistant teacher george walker

Q: You have a snake! Tell me the story of where Freddie comes from?

A: I got Freddie when I was 10. I wanted a reptile for ages so mum went to the pet shop and came back with…a rabbit! I loved Mopsy but still wanted a reptile, so a few years later we went together to the shop and there was a feisty snake and a good snake. I chose the good one – Freddie has been a good boy since day 1!

Q: Who is your teaching inspiration?

A: Mrs Watson, my first music teacher.

1. I teach at Ivriah because I wanted to come to synagogue regularly after my bar mitzvah and it’s a great way to be a part of a community and help children in a positive way.

2. I love pizza.

3. My hobbies are music and drama.

4. My best memory of FPS is my bar mitzvah.

5. I support Spurs, as all my family do.

Q: What drew you to Ivriah?

A: I like teaching and allowing others to be more knowledgeable, excited, and curious - whatever those things are! I think enjoying learning sets you up well for life and allows you to always better yourself. As the saying goes, ‘you learn something new every day’ – and it’s true when you work with kids!

Q: Why did you go to Mountview?

A: Stories are awesome – sharing stories is even better. Connecting with people can really create magical moments. I love sharing moments with people and performing helps me do that.

Q: You also play for us during services. What’s your favourite thing to play?

A: I’m lucky to play in three settings; in the traditional services, in Shabbat B’yachad, and in Tefillah – our Ivriah service. So, in the traditional services I love playing Yedid Nefesh, in Shabbat B’yachad, the Shema is my favourite, and in Tefillah, I love Oseh Shalom –for the joy and the chaos!