Buy cheap tickets for Boozr
Daphna Baram: Something to Declare

Daphna Baram plays the outsider in England, reflecting on what makes people British from her own standpoint as an Israeli woman. The problem here is that we’ve been told what we’re like so many times before and unfortunately Baram has little new to add. Most of Something to Declare skits on the cultural differences between British and Israeli people, running through all the usual stereotypes- British pub culture, the British social reserve (as opposed to Baram’s imposing aunts), and eating turkey at Christmas. Baram’s more unique material shines when discussing life on the other side of the cultural divide. She proves to be a natural story-teller and brings a warm intelligence to her more extraordinary experiences as a human rights lawyer in Israel.

Baram is talented story-teller and delivers a routine full of interest and warmth.

Baram introduces herself with the bold claim that back in her own country she was… no, not a princess, but perhaps more importantly, middle class. Now she is a foreigner in a country with immigration issues, finding ways of extending her stay. Marriage to her hopeless friend Richard might be the only option.

The set is anchored around the ‘Life in the UK’ test that she and many others have to complete in order to be granted indefinite leave to remain in Britain. Questions on print-outs are raised before the audience in a pub quiz style run-through of the many crazy bits of knowledge deemed essential for the UK settling immigrant. Baram unpicks suspicious expectations behind the condescending questions. Although Baram’s energetic delivery is entertaining, many of the anecdotes interspersed between questions are baggy and long-winded, going on with little comic payoff.

Her most interesting story is about her first client as a lawyer, a young bungling suicide bomber who is used to illustrate the virtues of incompetence. Baram imagines his unsuccessful bus journey in compelling detail.

Baram is talented story-teller and delivers a routine full of interest and warmth. It has a lot to narrate, but if Baram could only up the laugh-rate Something to Declare would have something really worth declaring.

Broadway Baby Radio interview with Daphna Baram

Reviews by Kate Wilkinson

theSpace @ Jury's Inn

Bench

★★
Bedlam Theatre

Be Better

★★★★
Greenside @ Infirmary Street

A Little Man's Holiday

★★★★★
Black Medicine

SherwoodJam

★★
Hispaniola

Aspects of Joy – Free

★★
Pleasance Dome

Lazy Susan: Double Act

★★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

Daphna Baram, an Israeli human rights lawyer turned journalist, a bleeding heart and an inadvertent anthropologist of British life gets herself leave to remain in the UK, builds a New Jerusalem in East London and plans to become Nigel Farage's worst nightmare. A laughter-dotted journey about immigration, politics, assimilation and the essence of home, as a Middle Easterner struggles to decipher the peculiarities of her ever British hosts. ‘Explosive’ (Walthamstow Guardian). ‘Wonderful, hilarious, important’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com). Directed by Amanda Baker.
Buy cheap tickets for Agatha Christie The Mousetrap
Buy cheap tickets for Boozr

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong
The Play That Goes Wrong

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Magic Mike Live
Magic Mike Live

From £48.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Nutcracker - London Coliseum
Nutcracker - London Coliseum

From £22.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Les Miserables
Les Miserables

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Abba Voyage
Abba Voyage

From £67.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Guys and Dolls
Guys and Dolls

From £24.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Purists
Buy cheap tickets for Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma
Buy cheap tickets for Expendable
Buy cheap tickets for Cyrano
Buy cheap tickets for Mean Girls
Buy cheap tickets for Frankie Valli
Buy cheap tickets for Les Miserables
Buy cheap tickets for The Cabinet Minister
Buy cheap tickets for Benjamin Button
Buy cheap tickets for Lonely Londoners