solomons.txt

---

Title: The Solomon Sisters - Laffa Jaffa Productions Ltd
venue :: Pleasance
see links : http://www.solomonsisters.com
http://www.myspace.com/solomonsisters
category :: Comedy
Review :: by Ed Stack
3 gold bats

To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what Klezmer was before this 
evening, but I think I know now. It is weird impassioned Jewish 
folk songs, involving an accordion. Despite evident tiredness, the 
sisters were professional, and the band were pleasurable, especially
the Jewish double-bassist from New York. The semi-educational, 
semi-informative interludes by one of the sisters were less 
enjoyable than the other sister's flute playing interludes, 
their duets being the most impressive spectacle on offer, so 
I  mostly enjoyed the musical element of the show and broadening
my awareness of musical cultural niches.   

However, given the intense nature of Klezmer, it was a welcome 
break to have comedian break up the proceedings for a few minutes.
Constantly saying he didn't like the way Jews were stereotyped 
and then constantly providing punch lines that relied on a comic
fulfilling of that stereotype at the last moment to get the 
laughs was a little confusing. Whilst he was undoubtedly funny,
you had to intellectually digest what you were seeing and then 
choose that his approach was ultra sardonic over the suspicion 
that he was in fact getting it in the neck from the stereotypers.
Given that it was a Jewish themed light hearted night, most 
things could be forgiven.

When they insisted that some of the audience moved a row forward
at the start I knew we were in for a bit of audience participation
which thankfully only amounted to my joining in awkwardly with 
clapping to certain songs and watching audience members less 
fortunate than myself being force fed pickled gherkins by a Jewish
south African schoolmistress. Baffling fun!

By Ed Stack