It is August which only means one thing – it is Camden Fringe time! Over the next few weeks we are chatting to acts that are performing at the festival and finding all about their show and what they would call this years iconic Camden Fringe Pigeon! Today we speak to  Gillian Fischer about the show How To Be Jewish Again

Date: 23rd & 24th August
Time: 19:30
Price: £8 Concession: £6
Location: Hens & Chickens Theatre
Ticket Link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/how-to-be-jewish-again/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I was born in Glasgow and grew up in Israel, I married my partner who is from Japan and we have two children.

I am a: creative, actor, writer, radio broadcaster-presenter, storyteller & child care BA proffessional. I studied acting in high school in Israel and trained at the acclaimed Beit-Zvi in Tel-Aviv. I always wanted to study in London and in 2003 I graduated from ALRA.

I create my own work as well as audition and work with others. In my own work I tell my own stories, I started with a short film exploring racism in the work place to performing my one woman show humorously exploring my own Jewish journey.

How did you come up with the name of your show that your taking to the Camden fringe?

The Pandemic felt like a biblical moment and I started to worry that I would not be seen as Jewish when the massiah comes to save us all so like all good cowards I began to cling to my Jewishness, whatever that is and explore how I can be Jewsih again

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

Comedy storytelling stand up, Having fun exploring the world of Jewishness with a bit of Hava Nagila music as the transformation takes place 

What will your set be about?

Gillian Fischer wants to be Jewish.

Technically she already is.Somewhere along the line she has forgotten this fact, it has lapsed or it’s been actively avoided.Her entire life has been lived with little or no recognition of her Jewish identity.

Now a mother in her 40’s she has suddenly recognized an irresistible compulsion to connect again with her Jewish roots. That’s all well and good but where does a non Jewish / Jew begin when they want to restart the connection to their heritage.

In this hilarious one woman show writer / broadcaster and actress Gillian Fischer takes us on a journey of self discovery in an attempt to become what she apparently has always been. Jewish.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

Honestly, I’d love to see everything ! so will see how that turms out 

Have you done the fringe before? What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

I haven’t been part of Camden Fringe before, this is my first time ! Very excited 

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Camden Fringe next year?

Start to register as early as you can and follow the advice from the organisers, they are very helpful

What is the best thing about performing at the Camden fringe?

The atmosphere of works in progress by amazing talented people, putting yourself out there is petrofying so I am grateful to the audiance who come and support 

London can be an expensive place to perform in – what key advice would you give to performers that is a sort of life hack?

Book train tickets in advance, use markets for cheap food, use hostels for cheap accomodation and take from family and friends as much as you can ! Haha!!

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Market

River

fashion

Favourite one liner you have done in a show and why?

“Don’t Worry, my Mum said, we are eating the pork outside of Israel – He can’t see!”

Its a line that, for me, depicts the complications of being Jewish in the modern world and how we all find ways to justify our jewishness 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Diane Morgan 

The iconic image of the Camden Fringe is the Pigeon – if you could call this years pigeon a name to represent its style what would it be and why?

Flexi because the Pigeon looks like it works out and is flexible in its approach to theatre, Anything goes!!

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

Instagram @gillianfisch

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show? 

Modern Jewish Fun