Big Day for the Goldbergs

‘Same old story,’ remarks Lucille Goldberg as she discusses her family’s past. The phrase somewhat sums up A Big Day for the Goldbergs, which is about a rather ordinary Jewish family from Leeds and which employs many a cliché. However, this story is sensitively directed by Olivia Rowe and is told exuberantly by its two actors, Elisa Boyd and Emma Gordon. The quality of their performances, most often in the taxing monologue medium, transforms what could be the hackneyed ‘same old’ into an engaging piece.Michele Goldberg (Gordon) wants to run away and join the circus. She imagines soaring above the Town Hall and Roundhay Park in her home town, Leeds, as people stare up at her. Being looked up to has always been her ambition, and it is realised when she does indeed join the circus and starts walking the tightrope. On returning home, Michele tells us all about clowning - the different types, children’s entertaining, the vibe of circus school - oh, and that she is in ‘luurve!’ with a perfect specimen in all but one respect... And that’s about it. But, Gordon is all grins and finesse as her character confides in the captive audience. ‘You’re dying to know what happened, aren’t you?’ she rightly asks at one point. Michele is loveable and when she claims ‘everything’s going to be OK,’ we are genuinely pleased.Lucille (Boyd) is Michele’s older sister. She’s pregnant, and is marrying the baby’s father at Harewood House pretty soon. She’s not quite sure if she truly loves him; things are going rather faster than she planned… Just like Gordon, Boyd takes ownership of this ordinary role with likeable believability.Both actors also play-cum-imitate their melodramatic, neurotic mother with a simple change of voice. The portrayal is amusing and well observed, just like the rest of the show. It doesn’t break any theatrical ground, but A Big Day for the Goldbergs is certainly entertaining and endearing.