In the Black Jew Dialogues actors and writers Ron Jones and Larry Jay Tish explore stereotypes and similarities of the black and Jewish experiences in America, using a sketch show format. This is the shows world premier.
It opens with some very entertaining video footage of Jones and Tishs puppet doppelgangers interviewing passers-by in New York to see what they think of black Americans and Jewish Americans. What follows is a romp through 4,000 years of world history, from slaves in Egypt to gansta rap. Punctuated with video, costume changes and music, Jones and Tish set up and break down stereotypes.
Some of these elements work very well. The grandmothers picnic in the park, the ONE programme for helping white people become less afraid of black people and the rednecks looking for someone to hurt stand out. However, given the current situation in the middle east, some exploration of the difference between Jewish and Israeli might have been required to really ensure that peoples prejudices were left at the door.
The show would be very valuable in exploring issues of racism with older teenagers, and one might expect that Jones and Tish could have a very sellable formula for future work with colleges and schools. Thought provoking stuff, but in the context of the Fringe though some may find that they would prefer some of the lessons turned down and the comedy turned up.
