Playhouse East, the new theatre set up in East London by Jewish actor and director Avital Lvova, is winning five-star reviews and multiple accolades. Its latest show, Magdalena Woman of Joy, written and performed by Lily Sinko, is being hailed as a “must see show”.
Lily, who is of Jewish heritage, joined Avital and her husband James when they set up the theatre six years ago. While working as part of the core team, Lily created a clown character called Magdalena, a French prostitute who is a “woman of joy.” When Avital saw Lily act as Magdalena she convinced Lily to use her character to create a full length performance.
“Lily has created something that is really special and we knew it would be hit with audiences. It is the very first time we have asked a new talent to debut at the theatre and our instinct has proved correct, with audiences loving the show,” says Avital, who has produced the 70-minute show.
A comedy, it follows the outrageous life of the cut-throat and feisty Magdalena.
“Magdalena is a wonderful character,” said Avital. “She has cigarettes for breakfast and her past is as twisted as her eyeliner. The show is a mixture of drag, clowning, traditional storytelling, with hilarious audience interaction. It is raw, ridiculously joyful, and impossible to forget.”
Avital and James had the idea to open Playhouse East as a venue to showcase exciting new writing. They also knew that they wanted to be independently financed, without having to rely on funds from the Arts Council or theatre grants.
“The property is 5,000 square feet and we realised if we let out part of the space as offices it would enable us to run the theatre. We are completely independent and self -financed which allows us to pick and choose the performances we stage. Our passion is new writing. We started with a small black box space in the basement but this year we were able to open our new venue- a 100-seater theatre that officially opened in January. All the shows staged here have received five-star reviews and sold out.!
Magdalena – Woman of Joy is at Playhouse East until 28 June. playhouseast.com
