The Rise and Fall of The King of Lampedusa in London’s Yiddish Theatre

Max Weinreich Fellowship Lecture in East European Arts, Music, and Theater The Joseph Kremen Memorial Fellowship Admission: Free

Unlike its American and Soviet counterparts, Yiddish theatre in London has yet to receive extensive attention despite its prominence and importance in the broader field of global Yiddish theatre. This talk will look at the history of London’s Yiddish theatres before telling the story of its most successful production: The King of Lampedusa. The play, written by a London based journalist and based on a true story, became a huge success when first staged in 1944, bringing in sold out audiences night after night. Yet just two years later, when the play was revived, it was labelled a ‘flop’. This talk will examine the changing circumstances of London’s East End and its citizens and illuminate the reasons for the rise and fall in popularity of The King of Lampedusa. 

About the Speaker

Katie Power is a second year PhD candidate within the Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish/non-Jewish Relations at the University of Southampton. Her thesis, titled ‘From shund to kunst? Yiddish theatre in London, 1939-1970’, examines the Yiddish theatres in London’s East End from the outbreak of the Second World War through to the closure of the last remaining theatre in 1970. This research, which commenced in October 2015, will contribute to our understanding of European Jewish History, documenting the emergence of modern secular Jewish culture in London through the development of Yiddish theatres, their repertoires and audiences. Katie is also a member of the Parkes Institute outreach team, organising and delivering research-led workshops in local schools, as well as co-organising Southampton’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day commemorative event.