We’ re greeted by a woman in a voluminous blue dress, flowing red cape and matching red scarf – resembling a curious combination of Superwoman and an extra from Fiddler on the Roof. This is Rachel Creeger, also known as ‘The Ultimate Jewish Mother’. As the only Orthodox Jew on the UK’s comedy circuit, she’s on a mission to both entertain and educate. Jewish mothers like their rules and Creeger takes a commanding stance from the start.
The format is simple, the audience submits questions via cards into a giant pot and Creeger uses these to structure proceedings, providing answers to anything and everything. A lot of the enquiries are food-related – What’s the best filling for a bagel? Others initially seem more profound – ‘What’s your favourite thing about being Jewish?’ Creeger’s favourite thing turns out to be chicken soup. This so-called ‘Jewish penicillin’ goes on to play a key role.
There are songs; a variation on Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’ focuses on the Ten Commandments, allowing Creeger to zoom through a light-hearted, potted history of Judaism. Another number – ‘Under the Sink’ (performed to the Disney theme – “Under the Sea”) – doesn’t have much bearing on being a Jewish mother except perhaps for its oblique reference to housework.
This show provides gentle, warm, entertainment rather than side-splitting hilarity. Creeger sensibly stays away from politics and largely focuses on the cultural aspects of her faith, especially the food. At times the discussion does feel quite superficial. There is much more that could be said and a seam of comic material largely remains un-mined. We learn that her mother is now a professional matchmaker and this theme (amongst others) could certainly have been developed.
Creeger does however develop a nice rapport with the audience who are invited to share their experiences. It’s an amusing and informative hour, fun for both Jews and the ‘Jew curious’.
‘Ultimate Jewish Mother’ runs until Sun 27 Aug 2023 at PBH Free Fringe @Whistlebinkies – Binkie’s Lounge at 13:30