We chatted to Genenvieve about starring in Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s production of ‘Yentl’ at the Marylebone Theatre.
Hi Genevieve, how does it feel to be bringing this production of Yentl to London?
It feels surreal. This production began with Kadimah Yiddish Theatre, a small, historic company at the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community, and now we’re sharing it on an international stage. I remember reading the script for the first time and sensing immediately that it was something special. I’m incredibly proud of the journey the show has taken.
I trained here in London, but my professional life has been rooted in Melbourne. There’s something serendipitous about an Australian work being the reason I return to perform in what feels like my second home. I’m so excited to reconnect with the creative community here.
Why do you think the story of Yentl continues to resonate today?
At its heart, Yentl is about self-determination, about challenging convention in pursuit of who you truly are. Its themes of feminism and gender identity feel just as urgent now as ever.
Beyond that, it asks audiences to lead with empathy. It invites us to examine our expectations of others and to question the structures that limit people’s freedom to become themselves. That desire for self-actualisation, and the courage it takes, is universal.
How did you find interpreting this adaptation of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s original story?
t’s been an extraordinary experience. Singer’s original story is dark, filled with ghosts, dybbuks and moral reckoning. There’s such richness in the cultural detail, but also a real sense of danger in the choices Yentl makes.
Our writers Gary Abraham, Elise Esther Hearst and Galit Klas have adapted it with incredible precision. Entire scenes were built from a single line of the original text. They also created the character of “The Figure,” or the Yetser Hara, the embodiment of each character’s evil inclination.
I play Hodes, a young woman coming into her sexuality, her ambition, and her desire to be seen. She has her own Yetser Hara, her own inner impulse pulling her toward what she wants. The play is asking, what is the cost of pursuing our desires? Yentl challenges societal boundaries but there are consequences and Hodes ultimately becomes collateral damage in that pursuit.
How has it been watching this show develop?
Fascinating. When we first workshopped the script in 2022, it ran close to four hours. Gary, who directs and co-wrote the piece, was fearless in refining and distilling it. What we have now is a sharp, two-hour work that feels urgent and electric. Not a moment is wasted.
This is the fourth time we’ve mounted the production, and each season has opened up new layers. Every season we dig deeper and uncover new things.
For those unfamiliar with the story, what can they expect?
Audiences can expect a high-stakes drama about a young woman who disguises herself as a man in order to study. The play, set in a historical context, feels strikingly contemporary. Yentl is gripping, juicy, complex, tense, sexy, fuelled, and utterly enthralling. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.
By Emma Clarendon
To book tickets visit: https://www.marylebonetheatre.com/productions/yentl